An Eruption of Vesuvius, seen from the Atrio del Cavallo
attributed to Pietro Antoniani (c.1740 - 1805)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1780 - 1790
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
508 x 1016 mm (20 x 40 in)
Place of origin
Italy
Order this imageCollection
Dunham Massey, Cheshire
NT 932361
Caption
A visit to the slopes of the erupting volcano was an essential excursion for visitors to Naples on the Grand Tour. Though Milanese, Antoniani made a number of views of Naples, and appears to have specialised in views of the eruptions of Vesuvius for Grand Tourists. The present picture adopts an identical viewpoint to one of ‘The Eruption of Vesuvius in 1767’ painted for Sir William Hamilton in 1776, but appears to show either another eruption, or the aftermath of that in 1767. The first known painting of Vesuvius erupting appears to be the one of 1757 by Carlo Bonavia, commissioned by Lord Brudenell. It is not known when Antoniani painted his first eruption, but it is possible that he was only inspired to do so by the example of Volaire, who arrived in Naples in 1767.
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, An Eruption of Vesuvius, attributed to Pietro Antoniani (Milan 1740/50 – 1805), circa 1780-1790.Vesuvius is seen at the left of the composition, with streams of lava in the foreground. A view of the Bay of Naples can be seen beyond.
Provenance
Bequeathed to the National Trust with the house, estate and all the contents of Dunham Massey by Roger Grey, 10th Earl of Stamford (1896 - 1976)
Credit line
Dunham Massey, The Stamford Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Makers and roles
attributed to Pietro Antoniani (c.1740 - 1805), artist previously catalogued as attributed to Pierre-Jacques Volaire (Toulon 1729 - Naples before 1802 , artist previously catalogued as attributed to François-Alexis Volaire (1699 – 1775), artist
References
Christie, Manson & Woods, Ltd., The Estate of the Late Lord Stamford, Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Cheshire. Valuation at Current Market Prices. Pictures, Drawings, Prints, Porcelain, Silver, Miniatures, Objects of Vertu and Books. 1977, p.50 Dunham Massey, Cheshire, 1988: [National Trust; Belinda Cousens, with Catalogue of Pictures by F. St John Gore], 1981, revised 1988, p.59 Dunham Massey, Cheshire, 1999: [National Trust; Belinda Cousens, with Catalogue of Pictures revised by Alastair Laing], 1981, revised 1999, p.60