Storia ed eruzioni del Vesuvio. Vesuvius History and eruptions.

 

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History

 

Spartacus and the Battle of Vesuvius 73BC

 

The Battle of Vesuvius was the first conflict of the Third Servile War which pitted the escaped slaves against a military force (militia) specifically dispatched by Rome to deal with the rebellion.

As the revolt and raids were occurring in Campania—which was a vacation region of the rich and influential in Rome, and the location of many estates—the revolt quickly came to the attention of Roman authorities.

They initially viewed the revolt as more a major crime wave than an armed rebellion.

However, later that year (73BC), Rome dispatched military force under praetorian authority to put down the rebellion.

 A Roman praetor, Gaius Claudius Glaber, gathered a force of 3,000 men, not as legions, but as a militia "picked up in haste and at random, for the Romans did not consider this a war yet, but a raid, something like an attack of robbery."

Glaber's forces besieged the slaves on Mount Vesuvius, blocking the only known way down the mountain.

With the slaves thus contained, Glaber was content to wait until starvation forced the slaves to surrender.

While the slaves lacked military training, Spartacus' forces displayed ingenuity in their use of available local materials, and in their use of clever, unorthodox tactics when facing the disciplined Roman armies.

In response to Glaber's siege, Spartacus' men made ropes and ladders from vines and trees growing on the slopes of Vesuvius and used them to rappel down the cliffs on the side of the mountain opposite Glaber's forces.

They moved around the base of Vesuvius, outflanked the army, and annihilated Glaber's men.

 

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mount_Vesuvius

 

Vesuvius at the time of Spartacus and Strabone. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 3.

See book on E-RARA

 

Battle of the Vesuvius 552 or 553AD

 

The Battle of Mons Lactarius (also known as Battle of the Vesuvius) took place in 552 or 553 in the course the Gothic War waged on behalf of Justinian I against the Ostrogoths in Italy.

After the Battle of Taginae, in which the Ostrogoth king Totila was killed, the Byzantine general Narses captured Rome and besieged Cumae.

Teia, the new Ostrogothic king, gathered the remnants of the Ostrogothic army and marched to relieve the siege, but in October 552 (or early 553) Narses ambushed him at Mons Lactarius (modern Monti Lattari) in Campania, near Mt. Vesuvius and Nuceria Alfaterna.

The battle lasted two days, and Teia was killed in the fighting.

Ostrogothic power in Italy was eliminated, and the remaining Ostrogoths went back north and (re)settled in south Austria.

After the battle, Italy was again invaded, this time by the Franks, but they too were defeated, and the peninsula was, for a time, reintegrated into the empire.

 

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Mons_Lactarius

 

Mount Vesuvius

 

The cone known as Mount Vesuvius began growing in the caldera of the Mount Somma volcano, which last erupted about 17,000 years ago.

Most rocks erupted from Vesuvius are andesite, an intermediate volcanic rock (about 53-63% silica).

Andesite lava creates explosive eruptions on a variety of scales, which makes Vesuvius an especially dangerous and unpredictable volcano.

Strombolian eruptions (explosions of magma from a pool in the volcano’s conduit) and lava flows from the summit and flank fissures are relatively small.

Plinian eruptions (huge explosions that create columns of gas, ash and rock which can rise dozens of kilometres into the atmosphere) have a much greater reach, and have destroyed entire ancient cities near Vesuvius with huge ash falls and pyroclastic flows.

Vesuvius is currently quiet, with only minor seismic (earthquake) activity and outgassing from fumaroles in its summit crater, but more violent activity could resume in the future.

 

See http://geology.com/volcanoes/vesuvius/

 

The first volcanic activity

 

The first evidence of volcanic activity in this area dates back about 400,000 years ago, but the first major eruptive phenomenon of some significance occurred about 25,000 years ago: the eruption of pumice base when the top of the Somma volcano collapsed forming a caldera, in which later formed Vesuvius.

Today the caldera is only the northern side, which is Mount Somma.

 

Eruption history

 

Date	Eruption type	Notes
79	explosive	Ash-fall, pomices and lahars
c.172	uncertain	Galenus testifies that "the matter in it (Vesuvius) is still burning
203	explosive	Dio Cassius reports a violent eruption heard in Capua, some 40 km away.
6 November 472	effusive-explosive	Lava flow and lahars to north-western flank. Marcellinus Comes reported that, on the 6th November 472, "Vesuvius (...) erupted the burning interiors, caused night during the day and covered all Europe with fine ash. Ash fallout is reported as far as Constantinople.
512	explosive	The eruption is so severe that people living on its flanks are granted a tax exemption by Theodoric the Great, Ostrogoth king of Italy. His officer Cassiodorus reports ash up to the top of the trees.
26 February 685	effusive	Imposing lava flow.
787	effusive-explosive	Lahars and imposing lava flow
968	explosive	Lava flow to sea. Leo Marsicanus reports in a chronicle of the Cassino Monastery that "Mount Vesuvius exploded with flames and emitted a great amount of gluey and sulphurous matter that formed a river hurriedly flowing to the sea.
991	uncertain
993	uncertain
999	explosive
1007	uncertain
1036	effusive-explosive
27 January 1037	???	Lava flow to sea. Leo Marsicanus, at Cassino, refers of an eruption on the 27 of January, 1037, that lasted for six days.
1068	effusive-explosive	The chronicle of the Cassino monastery records an explosive eruption
1078	effusive-explosive	The chronicle of the Cassino monastery records an explosive eruption
29 May 1139	effusive-explosive	Ash-fall. Several sources refer to it as a strong explosive eruption (Falcone Beneventano, the Chronicle of the Monastery of Cava dei Tirreni, John of Salisbury). It lasted eight days and ashes covered Salerno, Benevento, Capua and Naples.
The volcano enters a phase of inactivity		In the following years it is again covered with gardens and vineyards. The interior of the crater is also filled with scrub.
1305?	uncertain
1500	explosive	Ash-fall. Ambrogio di Nola reports a small explosion
16 December 1631	effusive-explosive	Cone collapse; lava flow to sea. A strong explosive eruption started in the night between 15 and 16 December of 1631 and its paroxysmal stage lasted two days.
1649	effusive-explosive
3 July 1660	explosive	Ash-fall to north-east flank
1680	explosive
1682	explosive
1685	explosive
1689	explosive
13 April 1694	effusive	Lava towards Torre del Greco
25 May 1698	effusive-explosive	Damage by ash-fall to south-east flank
28 July 1707	effusive-explosive	-----
1714	effusive-explosive
1717	effusive
1723	effusive-explosive
1725	effusive
1728	effusive
1730	effusive
20 May 1737	effusive-explosive	A lava flow invades T. del Greco; ash-fall and lahars
1751	effusive
1752	effusive
1755	effusive
23 December 1760	effusive-explosive	Opening of lateral vents on southern flank (150 m. a.s.l.)
19 October 1767	effusive-explosive	Two lava flows toward T. Annunziata and S. Giorgio a C.
1771	effusive
1776	effusive
8 August 1779	explosive	Ash and bombs over Ottaviano
1785	effusive
15 June 1794	effusive-explosive	Opening of lateral vents on SO flank (470 m. a.s.l.)
1805	effusive
1810	effusive
1812	effusive
1813	effusive
1817	effusive
1820	effusive
22 October 1822	effusive-explosive	Two lava flows toward T. del Greco and Boscotrecase
1831	effusive
23 August 1834	effusive-explosive	A lava flow toward Poggiomarino
1839	effusive-explosive
6 February 1850	effusive-explosive	-----
1 May 1855	effusive	A lava flow invades Massa and S. Sebastiano
1858	effusive
8 December 1861	effusive-explosive	Opening of lateral vents on SO flank (290 m. a.s.l.)
1867	effusive
15 November 1868	effusive	-----
1871	effusive
24 April 1872	effusive-explosive	A lava flow invades Massa and S. Sebastiano. Vesuvius cone had its maximum elevation at 1335 m above sea level.
1884	effusive
1891	effusive
1895	effusive
1899	effusive
May 1905 - 4 April 1906	effusive-explosive	A lava flow toward T. Annunziata, strong explosive activity In May 1905, a new eruption began, firstly with slow lava effusions and, from January, 1906, with intermittent explosive activity (strombolian activity). On the 7th of April 1906 the eruption reached the climax with lava fountains and earthquakes. The eruptive column of ash and gas reached the height of 13000 m. The eruption ends in the last days of April. The top of Vesuvius was truncated and formed a vast crater with a diameter of approximately 500 m and a depth  of 250 m. The crater rim was lowered to 1145 m asl at its minimum height
5 July of 1913.	effusive-explosive	A prolonged period of permanent activity begins, characterized by quiet effusion of lava and minor explosion from a small conelet, slowly filled the 80 million m3 crater left by the eruption of 1906.
28 November 1926	effusive	By 28 November of 1926 the crater had been filled up to its lower edge (~1070 m) and from that time on, small lava flows descend along the slopes of the crater.
3 June 1929	effusive-explosive	A lava flow toward Terzigno. The lava flow emission was followed by a phase of lava fountaining accompanied by sustained seismic tremor.
18 March 1944	effusive-explosive	A lava flow invades Massa and S. Sebastiano. On 6 January, 1944 there was an lava flow from the conelet that rapidly reaches the border of the rim and outflows. The small lava flows continues until 26 January outside the rim and until 23 February within it. The villages of San Sebastiano al Vesuvio, Massa di Somma, Ottaviano and part of San Giorgio a Cremano are destroyed, as well as about 88 B-25 bombers of the US Air Force, while World War II continues to rage in Italy. With the destruction of the bombers of the 340th Bomb Group, based near Terzigno, the US war effort over Italy was postponed or stopped until the replacement of the aircraft. This was the last eruption currently recorded (as at May 2019).

 

http://www.vesuvioinrete.it/e_storia.htm

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A9suve

 

 

Known eruptions since 79AD

 

Since the eruption of 79, Vesuvius has erupted more than thirty times. In 203 Cassius Dio recorded it. In 472, it ejects such a volume of ash that fallout is reported as far as Constantinople. The eruption of 512 is so severe that people living on its flanks are granted a tax exemption by Theodoric the Great, Ostrogoth king of Italy. Successive eruptions occur in 685, 787, 968, 991, 999, 1007 and 1036 with the first recorded lava flow. The volcano enters a phase of inactivity at the end of the thirteenth century and the following years it is again covered with gardens and vineyards. The interior of the crater is also filled with scrub.

 

1631 marks the beginning of a new, particularly destructive and practically continuous phase, with violent eruptions in 1660, 1682, 1694, 1698, 1707, 1737, 1760, 1767, 1779, 1794, 1822, 1834, 1839, 1850, and May 1855. , 1861, 1868, 1872, April 1906, 1926, 1929, and March 1944. That of 1906 killed more than 100 people and ejected more lava than it had ever been measured during an eruption of Vesuvius.
The last major event, as of June 2018, takes place in 1944, destroying the villages of San Sebastiano al Vesuvio, Massa di Somma, Ottaviano and part of San Giorgio a Cremano, as well as about 88 B-25 bombers of the US Air Force, while World War II continues to rage in Italy. With the destruction of the bombers of the 340th Bomb Group, based near Terzigno, the US war effort over Italy was postponed or stopped until the replacement of the aircraft.

These eruptions can be classified into three categories:
• explosive eruptions: 203, 472, 512, 685, 968, 999, 1680, 1682, 1685, 1689;
• effusive eruptions: 1717, 1725, 1728, 1730, 1751, 1752, 1755, 1771, 1776, 1785, 1805, 1810, 1812, 1813, 1817, 1820, 1831, 1855, 1858, 1867, 1868, 1871, 1884, 1891, 1895, 1899, 1929;
• effusive-explosive eruptions: 1036, 1068, 1078, 1139, 1631, 1649, 1660, 1694, 1698, 1707, 1714, 1723, 1737, 1761, 1767, 1779, 1794, 1822, 1834, 1839, 1850, 1861, 1872, 1906, 1944;
• uncertain eruptive nature: 787, 991, 993, 1007, 1305, 1500.

 

Eruptions connues après 79AD

 

Depuis l'éruption de 79, le Vésuve est entré en éruption plus d'une trentaine de fois. En 203, Dion Cassius en est témoin. En 472, il éjecte un tel volume de cendre que des retombées sont rapportées aussi loin que Constantinople. L'éruption de 512 est si rude que les personnes habitant sur ses flancs se voient accorder une exemption de taxes par Théodoric le Grand, roi ostrogoth d'Italie. Des éruptions successives se déroulent en 685, 787, 968, 991, 999, 1007 et 1036 avec la première coulée de lave consignée. Le volcan entre dans une phase d'inactivité à la fin du XIIIe siècle et les années suivantes il est à nouveau recouvert de jardins et de vignobles. L'intérieur du cratère est également rempli de broussailles.

 

1631 marque le début d'une nouvelle phase particulièrement destructive et pratiquement continue, avec de violentes éruptions en 1660, 1682, 1694, 1698, 1707, 1737, 1760, 1767, 1779, 1794, 1822, 1834, 1839, 1850, mai 1855, 1861, 1868, 1872, avril 1906, 1926, 1929, et mars 1944. Celle de 1906 notamment tue plus de 100 personnes et éjecte plus de lave qu'il n'en avait jamais été mesuré lors d'une éruption du Vésuve.

Le dernier événement majeur, au jour de 2018, se déroule en 1944, détruisant les villages de San Sebastiano al Vesuvio, Massa di Somma, Ottaviano et une partie de San Giorgio a Cremano, ainsi qu'environ 88 avions bombardiers B-25 de l'US Air Force, alors que la Seconde Guerre mondiale continue à faire rage en Italie. Avec la destruction des bombardiers du 340th Bomb Group (en), basé près de Terzigno, l'effort de guerre américain au-dessus de l'Italie a été reporté ou arrêté jusqu'au remplacement des aéronefs.

 

Ces éruptions peuvent se classer en trois catégories:

Éruptions explosives : 203, 472, 512, 685, 968, 999, 1680, 1682, 1685, 1689 ;

Éruptions effusives : 1717, 1725, 1728, 1730, 1751, 1752, 1755, 1771, 1776, 1785, 1805, 1810, 1812, 1813, 1817, 1820, 1831, 1855, 1858, 1867, 1868, 1871, 1884, 1891, 1895, 1899, 1929 ;

Éruptions effusivo-explosives : 1036, 1068, 1078, 1139, 1631, 1649, 1660, 1694, 1698, 1707, 1714, 1723, 1737, 1761, 1767, 1779, 1794, 1822, 1834, 1839, 1850, 1861, 1872, 1906, 1944 ;

Nature éruptive incertaine : 787, 991, 993, 1007, 1305, 1500.

 

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%A9suve

 

 

Activity between 79 AD and 1631

 

During the eruption the uncle of Pliny the Younger (Pliny the Elder), admiral of the roman fleet based in Misenum, went to the rescue of the people endangered by the eruption and lost his life. We have no information on the state of Vesuvius immediately after the eruption of 79. The first account of continuing activity is from Galenus (c.172 AD) who testifies that "the matter in it (Vesuvius) is still burning". Dio Cassius in 203 AD reports a violent eruption heard in Capua, some 40 km from the volcano. Two large eruptions occurred in 472 and 512. Marcellinus Comes reported that, on the 6th of November 472, "Vesuvius (...) erupted the burning interiors, caused night during the day and covered all Europe with fine ash". Information about the eruption of 512 is more detailed. Cassiodorus, an officer of king Teodoricus, wrote a letter to ask the exemption of taxes for the people affected by the eruption; in his letter he reports that "a burnt ash flies in the sky, and, forming ashy clouds, it rains with ash droplets also in the provinces beyond the sea (...). It is possible to see ash rivers flowing like liquid, bringing hot sands and (....) the fields grow suddenly up (the fields are covered with sand) to the top of the trees (.....) and are ravished by the sudden heat". Several other eruptions are reported in 685 (Paulus Diaconus), 787 and 968.

In 968, Leo Marsicanus reports in a chronicle of the Cassino Monastery that "Mount Vesuvius exploded with flames and emitted a great amount of gluey and sulphurous matter that formed a river hurriedly flowing to the sea". Several authors report other eruptions in 991, 993 and 999 (see in Alfano, 1924) but they must be regarded as suspicious because of the belief of the end of the world in 1000 AD. Leo Marsicanus refers of another eruption on the 27 of January, 1037, that lasted for six days. The chronicle of the Cassino monastery records an explosive eruption between 1068 and 1078. The last eruption before a long quiescent period occurred on the 1st of June, 1139. Several sources refer to it as a strong explosive eruption (Falcone Beneventano, the Chronicle of the Monastery of Cava dei Tirreni, John of Salisbury). It lasted eight days and ashes covered Salerno, Benevento, Capua and Naples. No reliable report of volcanic activity is available until 1500, when Ambrogio di Nola reports a small explosion. From 1500 until to 1631, no eruption occurred on Vesuvius. Records are good during this period, and none mention volcanic activity.

 

Activity between 1631 and 1944.

 

The great eruption of 1631 was the largest explosive eruption of Mt. Vesuvius since those of 472 and 512 AD. It occurred after 131 years of quiescence. Large trees covered the Gran Cono, the cone within the Somma Caldera, and local people did not remember it being a volcano. The mountain was called "La Montagna di Somma" (the Mountain of Somma, a small town on its northern side). Several months before the beginning of the eruption, people near the volcano felt some earthquakes (Braccini, 1632). They were not particularly scared because earthquakes from the nearby Apennine chain were often felt in the area (a large one had occurred three years before in Apulia, in 1628). The seismic activity became more severe in the few days before the eruption. Nevertheless, the awakening of Vesuvius in 1631 surprised the inhabitants. A strong explosive eruption started in the night between 15 and 16 December of 1631 and its paroxysmal stage lasted two days. Between the great eruption of 1631 and 1944 Vesuvius, is almost always in activity with only brief periods of quiescence not exceeding 7 years. Major eruptions occurred in 1794, 1822, 1834, 1850 e 1872. After 1872 slow lava effusions, lasting several years formed small lava accumulation (lava domes) in the proximity of the crater. One of this, named Colle Umberto, formed between1895 and 1899 in the area between the cone and the Observatory. In 1872, after the eruption, Vesuvius cone had its maximum elevation at 1335 m. a.s.l. In May, 1905, a new eruption began, firstly with slow lava effusions and, since January, 1906, with intermittent explosive activity (strombolian activity). On the 7th of April, 1906 the eruption reached the climax with lava fountains and earthquakes. The eruptive column of ash and gas reached the height of 13000 m. The eruption ends in the last days of April.

 

During the eruption of 1906 the top of Vesuvius was truncated and formed a vast crater with a diameter of approximately 500 m and a depth  of 250 m. The crater rim was lowered to 1145 m asl at its minimum height. After the eruption there was short period of quiescence followed by a prolonged period of permanent activity from 5 July of 1913. This activity, characterized by quiet effusion of lava and minor explosion from a small conelet, slowly filled the 80 million m3 crater left by the eruption of 1906. By 28 November of 1926 the crater had been filled up to its lower edge (~1070 m) and from that time on, small lava flows descended along the slopes of the crater. In June 1929 a major lava flow extended outside the Somma caldera rim and reached the village of Terzigno on the eastern slope of the volcano. The lava flow emission was followed by a phase of lava fountaining accompanied by sustained seismic tremor. By 1944 the lava field had almost filled up all the extension of the crater up to the altitude of about 1140-1150 m. a.s.l. Only a few remains of the original crater were visible especially on the south-western rim , where was located the highest point of the crater at 1186 m. a.s.l. The conelet, built at the centre of the lava field, had reached an height of ~1260 m. a.s.l. On 6 January, 1944 there was an lava flow from the conelet that rapidly reaches the border of the rim and outflows. The small lava flows continued until 26 January outside the rim and until 23 February within it. On that day the activity ends. The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius of March 1944, is the last eruption occurred at Vesuvius. Since then the volcano has been in a quiescent stage without any major sign of activity.

 

http://www.vesuvioinrete.it/e_storia.htm

 

Vesuvius Eruptions, lava flows from 1631 to 26 April 1872. From Meyers Konversations-Lexikon 1885.

Click here for a Larger resolution version of the photograph.

 

Vesuvius and its eruptions in paintings and photographs

 

Vesuvius eruption 79 AD. « La Mort de Pline » by Jean-Édouard Dargent known as Yan Dargent, 1870.

Pliny the Elder is shown dead on the beach with an erupting Vesuvius behind.

See Rambosson J, 1883. Histoire Des Météores: Quatrième édition. Paris: Firmin-Didot, fig. 80, p. 401.

 

Vesuvius and the eruption of 79AD. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 2.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption 79AD. L’ultimo giorno di Pompei by Jacob More 1780.

 

Vesuvius 472AD. Photo courtesy of Vesuvioweb.

 

Vesuvius Eruption, 16th December 1631 by Joachim von Sandrart and Matthias Merian in Dankaerts Historis 1642.

 

Vesuvius eruption 1631. Drawing by Oliva d’Anna 1805, engraved by Pietro Toro.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. II.

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Vesuvius eruption 1631. Eruzione del 1631: Veduta estratta da autori contemporanei. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 4.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1631. Portici. Lapide in ricordo dell'eruzione del Vesuvio del 1631.

Memorial in Portici in remembrance of the eruption of Vesuvius of 1631.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1631. The epitaph in Portici commemorating the eruption of Vesuvius in 1631.

On the memorial is the inscription.

 

POSTERI POSTERI VESTRA RES AGITVR DIES FACEM PRAEFERT DIEI NVDIVS PERENDINO ADVORTITE   VICIES AB SATV SOLIS IN FABVLATVR HISTORIA ARSIT VESAEVVS IMMANI SEMPER CLADE HAESITANTIVM NE POSTHAC INCERTOS OCCVPET MONEO VTERVM GERIT MONS HIC BITVMINE ALVMINE FERRO SVLPHVRE AVRO ARGENTO NITRO AQVARVM FONTIBVS GRAVEM   SERIVS OCYVS IGNESCET PELAGOQ INFLVENTE PARIET SED ANTE PARTVRIT CONCVTITVR CONCVTITQ SOLVM FVMIGAT CORSVCAT FLAMMIGERAT QVATIT AEREM   HORRENDVM IMMVGIT BOAT TONAT ARCET FINIBVS ACCOLAS EMICA DVM LICET IAM IAM ENITITVR ERVMPIT MIXTVM IGNE LACVM EVOMIT PRAECIPITI RVIT ILLE LAPSV SERAMQ FVGAM PRAEVERTIT SI CORRIPIT ACTVM EST PERIISTI   ANN SAL MDCXXXI XVI KAL JAN PHILIPPO IV REGE EMMANVELE FONSECA ET ZVNICA COMITE MONTIS REGII PRO REGE   REPETITA SVPERIORVM TEMPORVM CALAMITATE SVBSIDIISQ CALAMITATIS HVMANIVS QVO MVNIFICENTIVS FORMIDATVS SERVAVIT SPRETVS OPPRESSIT INCAVTOS ET AVIDOS QVIBVS LAR ET SVPPELLEX VITA POTIOR TVM TV SI SAPIS AVDI CLAMANTEM LAPIDEM SPERNE LAREM SPERNE SARCINVLAS MORA NVLLA FVGE   ANTONIO SVARES MESSIA MARCHIONE VICI PRAEFECTO VIARVM

Vesuvius Eruption 1631. Transcription of the epitaph in Portici commemorating the eruption of Vesuvius in 1631.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1631.

The epitaph for the people who died because of the eruption of Vesuvius in 1631 on the villa of Faraone Mennella in Torre del Greco.

It mentions POMPEIOS and HERCVLANVM long before they were rediscovered.

Photo courtesy of Andreas Tschurilow.

 

AT O VIII ET LX POST ANNO XVII CALEND(AS) IANUARII PHILIPPO IV REGE FUMO FLAMMIS BOATU CONCUSSU CINERE ERUPTIONE HORRIFICUS FERUS SI UMQUAM VESUVIUS NEC NOMEN NEC FASCES TANTI VIRI EXTIMUIT QUIPPE EXARDESCENTE CAVIS SPECUBUS IGNE IGNITUS FURENS IRRU GIENS EXITUM ELUCTANS COERCITUS AER DISIECTO VIOLENTER MONTIS CULMINE IMMANI ERUPIT HIATU POSTRIDIE EIACULATUS TRANS HELLESPONTUM CINEREM PONE TRAHENS AD EXPLENDAM VICEM PELAGUS IMMITE PELAGUS FLUVIOS SULPHUREOS FLAMMATUM BITUMEN FOETAS ALUMINE CAUTES INFORME CUIUSQUE METALLI RUDUS MIXTUM AQUARUM VOLUMINIBUS IGNEM FERVENTEMQ(UE) UNDANTE FUMO CINEREM SESEQ(UE) FUNESTAMQ(UE) COLLUVIEM IUGO MONTIS EXONERANS POMPEIOS HERCULANUM OCTAVIANUM PERSTRICTIS REATINA ET PORTICU SILVASQ(UE) VILLASQ(UE) AEDESQ(UE) MOMENTO STRAVIT USSIT DIRUIT LUCTUOSAM PRAE SE PRAEDAM AGENS VASTUMQ(UE) TRIUMPHUM PERIERAT HOC QUOQ(UE) MARMOR ALTE SEPULTUM CONSULTISSIMI MONUMENTUM PROREGIS NE PEREAT EMMAHUEL FONSECA ET ZUNICA COM(ES) MONT(IS) RE(GIS) PROR(EX) QUA ANIMI MAGNITUDINE PUBLICAE CALAMITATI EA PRIVATAE CONSULUIT EXTRACTUM FUNDITUS GENTILIS SUI LAPIDEM COELO RESTITUIT VIAM RESTAURAVIT FUMANTE ADHUC ET INDIGNANTE VESEVO AN(NO) SAL(UTIS) MDCXXXV PRAEFECTO VIARUM ANTONIO SUARES MESSIA MARCH(IONE) VICI

Vesuvius Eruption 1631. Transcription of the epitaph for the people who died because of the eruption of Vesuvius in 1631 on the villa of Faraone Mennella in Torre del Greco.

It mentions POMPEIOS and HERCVLANVM long before they were rediscovered.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1631. The coast of the Bay of Naples after the eruption.

Note the box top right which focusses on Pompeii and Herculanum, officially not discovered until 1748 and 1709.

See Mascoli, G. B. 1633. De incendio vesuvii excitato XVLJ. Napoli.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1631. Procession with the Relics of San Gennaro and the Eruption of Vesuvius in 1631.

Oil on canvas painted c. 1656, painted by Domenico Gargiulo (known as Micco Spadaro) born Naples 1609/10, died Naples 1675.

On display in exhibition “Pompei e Santorini” in Rome, 2019. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1631. L’eruzione del 1631 da Didier Barra (1590-1652).

The eruption of 1631 by Didier Barra (1590-1652).

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1638 as seen by Athanasius Kircher. From Kircher A., 1664. Mundus Subterraneus.

 

 

Vesuvius eruption 1737. Drawing by Odovardo Fischietti 1805, engraved by Vincenzo Scarpati.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. III.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius eruption 1737. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 5.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius 1747 from The Gentleman's Magazine September 1747 p. 419-420.

 

Vesuvius 1751. View by Ignazio Vernet engraved by Filippo Morghen of the course of lava flows from the 1751 eruption.

Titled “Veduta del Corso della Lava eruttata Dal Monte Vesuvio l’Anno 1751 all’Atrio del Cavallo”.

See Mecatti, Giuseppe Maria, 1752. Racconto storico-filosofico del Vesuvio e particolarmente di quanto è occorso in quest' ultima eruzione principiata il dì 25. ottobre 1751. e cessata il dì 25. febbrajo 1752. al luogo detto l'Atrio del Cavallo. Napoli: Presso di Giovanni di Simone, p. CCCCXI (=pag.Ultima).

See https://www.e-rara.ch/zut/content/pageview/7207070 for electronic version of Mecatti on E-RARA.

 

Vesuvius 1752. Mount Vesuvius erupting: view from the south, with surrounding countryside and coastline.

Coloured etching titled “Veduta del monte Vesuvio dalla parte di mezzogiorno con la nuova bocca fatta all'Atrio del Cavallo”.

Coloured etching by F. Morghen, 1752, after F. Geri, 1752. Credit: Wellcome Collection. CC BY

The Wellcome Collection page has entries - Naples: Giovanni di Simone: 1752.

Mecatti in his 1752 book published by Giovanni di Simone of Naples mentions Signor Francesco Geri Gìardinier Maggiore di S.M. Sicialiana several times and this description is also the designer’s signature in the bottom left of this painting.

Mecatti also lists in the contents “Carta del Signor Francesco Geri dimostrante la presente Eruzione, preso il punto di veduta proprio di dove sboccò la Lava all'Atrio del Cavallo”, pag. CCCXXXVI, [which is this etching but uncoloured].

See Mecatti, Giuseppe Maria, 1752. Racconto storico-filosofico del Vesuvio e particolarmente di quanto è occorso in quest' ultima eruzione principiata il dì 25. ottobre 1751. e cessata il dì 25. febbrajo 1752. al luogo detto l'Atrio del Cavallo. Napoli: Presso di Giovanni di Simone.

 

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1752. “Veduta del monte Vesuvio dalla parte di mezzogiorno con la nuova bocca fatta all'Atrio del Cavallo”.

Etching designed by Francesco Geri and etched by Filippo Morghen, published by Mecatti in 1752.

See Mecatti, Giuseppe Maria, 1752. Racconto storico-filosofico del Vesuvio e particolarmente di quanto è occorso in quest' ultima eruzione principiata il dì 25. ottobre 1751. e cessata il dì 25. febbrajo 1752. al luogo detto l'Atrio del Cavallo. Napoli: Presso di Giovanni di Simone, pag. CCCXXXVI, [uncoloured].

See https://www.e-rara.ch/zut/content/pageview/7207070 for electronic version of Mecatti on E-RARA.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1751-2. Painting designed by Francesco Geri and etched by Filippo Morghen and dated by ICCD to between 1794-1807.

Watercolour titled “Veduta del monte Vesuvio dalla parte di mezzogiorno con la nuova bocca fatta all'Atrio del Cavallo”.

This is a [later?] coloured version of the original etching published by Mecatti in 1752 (see above) and shows the 1751-2 eruption.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 319949.

Photo © ICCD. http://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

 

Vesuvius eruption 1754. Drawing by Odovardo Fischietti 1805, engraved by Vincenzo Scarpati.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. VI.

See book on E-RARA

 

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1754. Lava flow on the sides of Vesuvius following the 1754 eruption.

Engraving titled Histoire Naturelle Volcans : Laves qui sortoient des flancs du Vésuve a la suitte de l'Eruption de 1754.

See Diderot & D'Alembert, 1751 to 1772. Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers :Minéralogie : 6me collection. France., pl. III.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1754. Histoire Naturelle Volcans : Eruption du Vésuve en 1754.

See Diderot & D'Alembert, 1751 to 1772. Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers :Minéralogie : 6me collection. France., pl. II.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1757. Histoire Naturelle Volcans : Vue Généralle du Vésuve en 1757.

See Diderot & D'Alembert, 1751 to 1772. Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers :Minéralogie : 6me collection. France., pl. I.

 

Vesuvius 1759. Partenza di Carlo III da Napoli nell’agosto 1759 per Antonio Joli.

Departure of Charles III from Naples in August 1759, with smoking Vesuvius in background. Painting by Antonio Joli.

On the death of his half-brother Ferdinand VI in 1759, who died without issue, Charles was called to succeed him on the throne of Spain.

©Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid.

 

Vesuvius eruption 27th and 28th March 1759. Drawing of eruption made in 1805, engraved by Lomasto.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. VII.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius eruption 23^rd December 1760. Drawing of eruption by Oliva d’Anna made in 1805, engraved by P. Toro.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. VIII.

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Vesuvius Eruption 1760 1761. View of an eruption of Mount Vesuvius which began on 23rd December 1760 and ended 5th January 1761.

Mount Vesuvius: a volcanic eruption at the foot of the mountain, 1760-1761, causing the destruction of the land and property.

Coloured etching by Pietro Fabris, 1776, after his drawing, 1760-1761.

See Hamilton Sir W., 1776. Campi Phlegraei. Naples: vol. 1, plate XII.

 

Vesuvius eruption 1766. Drawing of 1766 eruption, engraved by Raffaele Aloja in 1805.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. IX.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius eruption October 1767. View from the west showing a part of the great lava that came from the last fire of the eruption.

“Veduta del Vesuvio dalla banda di Occidente e di una parte della gran Lava che sbocco da esso Vesuvio nell’ultimo incendio succeduto nel Mese di Ottobre dell’Anno 1767”.

See De Bottis, G. 1768. Ragionamento istorico dell'incendio del Vesuvio: accaduto nel mese di ottobre del MDCCLXVII, Tav. I.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1767. View of the great eruption of Vesuvius from the mole of Naples, 20th Oct 1767.

Coloured mezzotint by Pietro Fabris, 1776, after his painting, 1767.

See original on https://wellcomecollection.org/

 

Vesuvius eruption 19^th October 1767. Drawing of eruption, made in 1805.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. X.

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Vesuvius Eruption 1767 from Portici.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1767 from Torre Annunziata.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1767. Padre Rocco predica dinanzi al simulacro di San Gennaro sul ponte della Maddalena.

Fr. Rocco preaches before the image of San Gennaro on the bridge of Maddalena.

 

 

Vesuvius Eruption May 9th, 1771, with lava flowing towards Resina.

 

Vesuvius Eruption May 9th, 1771, with lava flowing towards Resina.

The original mono print was drawn by Olivio d’Anna and engraved by Pietro Garboni in Rome.

ICCD attribute the colour copy to Pietro Parbeni.

Now in Museo Nazionale di S.Martino. Inventory number 319955.

Photo © ICCD. http://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1771. Eruption du Mont Vésuve du 14 Mai 1771. Dessine d'après nature par Volaire à Naples

See Saint Non, Jean Claude Richard de, 1781. Voyage pittoresque ou Description des royaumes de Naples et de Sicile : Vol. 1. Parigi, p. 210.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1771. A night view of a current of lava that ran from Mount Vesuvius towards Resina, 11th May 1771.

See Hamilton, Sir W. 1779. Campi phlegræi. Observations on the volcanoes of the Two Sicilies as they have been communicated to the Royal Society by Sir William Hamilton. Pl. XXXVIII.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1771. L'éruption du Vésuve by Pierre-Jacques Volaire.

Now in Musée des Beaux-Arts de Brest.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1774 by J. P. Hackert.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1774 from Portici by Joseph Wright of Derby.

Now in Huntington Library in Pasadena, CA.

 

Vesuvius eruption 1775. Crater with diverse fumaroles, drawn in 1805 by Odoardo Fischetti and engraved by Gennaro Bartoli.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. XII.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius eruption 1776. The valley Atrio di Cavallo between Vesuvius and Somma, showing smoke emerging from Vesuvius before eruption.

Coloured etching by Pietro Fabris, 1776. Credit: Wellcome Collection. CC Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

 

Vesuvius eruption 8^th August 1779. Drawn “dal vero” by Luigi Fergola and engraved in 1804 by Gennaro Bartolo.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. XIII.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption August 1779. Painting by Vincenzo Aloja. “Eruzzione del Vesuvio accaduto alli d’ 8 Agosto del Anno 1779”.

Now in Certosa e Museo Nazionale di San Martino. Inventory number 319686.

Photo © ICCD. http://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

 

Vesuvius eruption 1779. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 7.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption August 8th, 1779 from Posilipo. Drawn by P Fabris and engraved by F. Giomignani.

See de Bottis, Gaetano, 1779. Ragionamento istorico intorno all'eruzione del Vesuvio che cominciò il dì 29 luglio dell'anno 1779 e continuò fino al giorno 15 del seguente mese di agosto. Napoli: Stamperia Reale, Tav II.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption August 8th, 1779 from Santa Lucia al Mare. Drawn by Alessandro d’Anna engraved by Carmine Pignatari R.

See de Bottis, Gaetano, 1779. Ragionamento istorico intorno all'eruzione del Vesuvio che cominciò il dì 29 luglio dell'anno 1779 e continuò fino al giorno 15 del seguente mese di agosto. Napoli: Stamperia Reale, Tav I.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption August 8th, 1779 from the summit of Somma to the banda di Tramontana.

Drawn by Xavier (Saverio) della Gatta, engraved by Nicola Fiorillo.

See de Bottis, Gaetano, 1779. Ragionamento istorico intorno all'eruzione del Vesuvio che cominciò il dì 29 luglio dell'anno 1779 e continuò fino al giorno 15 del seguente mese di agosto. Napoli: Stamperia Reale, Tav IV.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption August 8th, 1779.

 

Vesuvius eruption 9th August 1779. Drawn by Francesco Catozzo and engraved by Gennaro Bartolo 1804.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. XIV.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption August 9th, 1779, 16.30 in afternoon, from Santa Lucia al Mare. Drawn by Alessandro d’Anna engraved by Carmine Pignatari R.

See de Bottis, Gaetano, 1779. Ragionamento istorico intorno all'eruzione del Vesuvio che cominciò il dì 29 luglio dell'anno 1779 e continuò fino al giorno 15 del seguente mese di agosto. Napoli: Stamperia Reale, Tav III.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1779 The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the night of 8th August 1779.

Coloured etching by Sir William Hamilton and Pietro Fabris, 1779.

See Hamilton, Sir W. 1779. Campi phlegræi. Observations on the volcanoes of the Two Sicilies as they have been communicated to the Royal Society by Sir William Hamilton. Vol. III, pl. II.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1779.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1782-90. Eruzione del Vesuvio dal ponte della Maddalena by P. J. Antoine Volaire.

Eruption of Vesuvius from the Bridge of La Maddalena by P. J. Antoine Volaire.

Oil painting on canvas. Now in the Museo di San Martino, Napoli.

 

Vesuvius eruption September 1790. Drawn by Oliva d’Anna and engraved by Pietro Parboni.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. XV.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius eruption 15 June 1794. Commencement of the eruption drawn “dal vero” by Francesco Catozi and engraved by Gennaro Bartolo 1804.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. XVI.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius eruption 15 June 1794. View of the Great Eruption drawn by Francesco Catozzi and engraved by Gennaro Bartolo.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. XVII.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius eruption 1794. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 8.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1794 con la processione dell’Immacolata by Alessandro d’Anna.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1794 by Della Gatta.

 

Vesuvius Eruption June 5 1794 from Miscellanies XX 1810.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1794. Mount Vesuvius in eruption at night, with smoke, fire, and lava, over the Bay of Naples.

Beginning of the eruption of 1794. Gouache, 1794. Wellcome Collection. See Wellcome Collection 42986i

 

Vesuvius eruption 15 June 1794. View of Torre del Greco destroyed in the eruption drawn by Francesco Catozzi and engraved by Gennaro Bartoli.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. XVIII.

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Vesuvius Eruption 1794. The Destruction of Torre del Greco. Naples School.

 

Vesuvius eruption 1794. Torre del Greco in gran parte sepolta dalle lave. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 9.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius eruption 19 June 1794. Ash eruption drawn by Francesco Catozzi and engraved by Gennaro Bartoli.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. XIX.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius eruption 1794. Plan of Torre del Greco destroyed in the eruption.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. XX.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1751-2. Painting designed by Francesco Geri and etched by Filippo Morghen, dated by ICCD to between 1794-1807.

Watercolour titled “Veduta del monte Vesuvio dalla parte di mezzogiorno con la nuova bocca fatta all'Atrio del Cavallo”.

Now in Naples Archaeological Museum. Inventory number 319949.

Photo © ICCD. http://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

The Wellcome Institute has an identical painting which it dates to 1752.

The Wellcome Collection page has entries - Naples: Giovanni di Simone: 1752.

Mecatti in his 1752 book published by Giovanni di Simone of Naples mentions Signor Francesco Geri Gìardinier Maggiore di S.M. Sicialiana several times and this description is also the designer’s signature in the bottom left of this painting.

Mecatti also lists in the contents “Carta del Signor Francesco Geri dimostrante la presente Eruzione, preso il punto di veduta proprio di dove sboccò la Lava all'Atrio del Cavallo”, pag. CCCXXXVI, [which seems to correspond with this etching, without the colouring].

See Mecatti, Giuseppe Maria, 1752. Racconto storico-filosofico del Vesuvio e particolarmente di quanto è occorso in quest' ultima eruzione principiata il dì 25. ottobre 1751. e cessata il dì 25. febbrajo 1752. al luogo detto l'Atrio del Cavallo. Napoli: Presso di Giovanni di Simone.

 

Vesuvius 1799. Old engraving showing the entry of the French into Naples below a smoking Vesuvius.

 

Vesuvius eruption 12 August 1804. “View of the eruption of fire on the night of 12 August 1804 at 6 o'clock and drawn on the evening of the 13th of the said month.”

Drawn by (Francesco?) Catozzi and engraved by Vincenzo Scarpati.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. XXI.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius eruption 9 September 1804. “Great eruption of fire and lava occurred and drawn on 9th September 1804”.

Drawn by Francesco Catozzi “dal vero” and engraved by Gennaro Bartolo in 1804.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. XXII.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius eruption 11 September 1804. “View of the eruption of smoke and ash drawn on 11th September 1804”.

Drawn by Alessandro D’Anni and engraved by Gennaro Bartoli.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. XXIII.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius eruption 1805. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 10.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius eruption 12 August 1805. View of the eruption of the 12^th August 1805 drawn by Odoardo Fischietti on 19 August 1805 and engraved by Gennaro Bartoli.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. XXV.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius eruption 1805. “Idea dello spettacolo che presentava il vulcano in questa occasione”. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 11.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1806. Eruzione dell’Anno 1806, attributed to Girolano Gianni (1837-1895).

 

Vesuvius eruption 13 September 1810. Drawn by C di Vito engraved by P Toro.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. XXVI.

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Vesuvius Eruption 1810. Mount Vesuvius in eruption at night, with smoke, fire, and lava, over the Bay of Naples.

Gouache, 1810. Wellcome Collection. See Wellcome Collection 42990i

 

Vesuvius eruption 1810. “Altre fasi ed altre lave si ebbero nel 1806 e pare che l ’attività eruttiva proseguisse fino al 1810, secondo la testimonianza del Zorda e dell ’ Auldjo”. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 12.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1812, painting by Camillo de Vito, Naples.

 

Vesuvius eruption 1 January 1812. Drawn by C di Vito engraved by P Toro.

See Della Torre, Nicola Filomarino, 1805. Raccolta di tutte le vedute che esistevano nel gabinetto del Duca Della Torre rappresentanti l'eruzioni del Monte Vesuvio fin oggi accadute. Napoli: Nicola Gervasi, Tav. XXVII.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius eruption 1812. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 13.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1813, Naples School. Adolphe Chevandier?

 

Vesuvius c.1813-1815. Blick auf den Golf von Neapel von Joseph Rebell

View of the Gulf of Naples by Joseph Rebell.

Jetzt in Die Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe.

 

Vesuvius dated by ICCD to between 1816 and 1824. Painting by Vincenzo Aloja titled “Veduta del Monte Vesuvio e parte della Citta di Napoli”.

Now in Certosa e Museo Nazionale di San Martino. Inventory number 319712.

Photo © ICCD. http://www.catalogo.beniculturali.it

Utilizzabili alle condizioni della licenza Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Condividi allo stesso modo 2.5 Italia (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IT)

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1817, painting by Turner.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1820, painting by Camillo de Vito, Naples.

 

Vesuvius Eruption December 1820, painting by Johan Christian Clausen Dahl.

Painting courtesy of Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main. Inventory number 1825.

 

Vesuvius eruption 1822. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 14.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1822 from Naples.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1822. Painting probably by Gioacchino La Pira (1839–1870), Eruzione di cenere del 1822.

 

Vesuvius Eruption October 1822 from Naples by George Poulett Scrope.

 

Vesuvius Eruption March 21 1828 by Michela de Vito.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1832, painting by Camillo de Vito, Naples.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1834. Eruption of Mount Vesuvius; lava covering dwellings.

Gouache painting “Eruz. de 30 Agosto 1834 da Bosco Reale” by Mauton, 1834.

Wellcome Collection. See Wellcome Collection 575687i.

 

Vesuvius 1834 in antique print.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1839. Painting by Naples School of the interior of Vesuvius.

 

Vesuvius eruption 1839. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 15.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius eruption 1850. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 16.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1850 from Ottaviano. Giorgio Sommer n. 754.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1850 from Ottaviano. Giorgio Sommer.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1850. Painting by Gioacchino La Pira (1839–1870), Bay of Naples with Vesuvius Erupting , 1850.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1850. Painting by Gioacchino La Pira (1839–1870), Eruzione a Febbraio 1850.

 

Vesuvius eruption 1855. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 17.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption, late 1850s. Stereoview by Alphonse Bernoud, inscribed on the back “Eruzione del Vesuvio”.

Faintly visible on the top is a building, the shape of which suggests it is the Reale Osservatorio Vesuviana.

Photo © Victoria and Albert Museum, London, inventory number E.1414-1992.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1858. Artist unknown.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1859. Painting by Gioacchino la Pira, Bay of Naples, Vesuvius erupting, dated 1859.

 

Vesuvius Eruption, 1859. Stereoview by Alphonse Bernoud, depicting the eruption at Vesuvius of 1859.

Inscribed with title and date in ink.

© Victoria and Albert Museum, London, inventory number E.1465-1992.

 

Vesuvius. December 1861 eruption. Stereoview by Sommer and Behles no. 205. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

This is however the same photograph as that of the eruption dated November 1867 by Edmund Behles no. 2205.

 

Vesuvius. December 1861 eruption. Photo title at bottom is “No. 2204. Eruzione del Vesuvio, Dec. 61 (Napoli)”. Photo by Sommer and Behles.

 

Vesuvius. December 1861 eruption. Stereoview title is “No. 204. Eruzione del Vesuvio, Dec. 61 (Napoli)”. Photo by Sommer.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1861. Painting by follower of Gioacchino La Pira (1839–1870), An eruption on the Bay of Naples, 1861.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1864. Painting by Gioacchino la Pira, Vesuvius in eruption over the Bay of Naples at night 1864.

 

Vesuvius. 1865 eruption. Stereoview by Sommer and Behles. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

 

Vesuvius. Lava del Vesuvio, by Giorgio Sommer no. 293. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

 

Vesuvius Eruption November 1867 by Edmund Behles no. 2205.

This is however the same photograph as in the stereoview by Sommer and Behles no. 205 with the eruption dated December 1861.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1868. Painting by Gioacchino La Pira, Night with Vesuvius eruption of 1868.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1868. Painting by Gioacchino La Pira, Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, 1868.

 

Vesuvius eruption 1871. “Il Vesuvio nell’aprile 1871: Veduta presa dall’Osservatorio. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 18.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption April 26th, 1872 at 3pm. Photo by Giorgio Sommer, No. 6102.

 

Vesuvius Eruption April 26th, 1872 at 3.30pm. Photo by Giorgio Sommer, No. 6103.

 

Vesuvius Eruption April 26th, 1872 at 3.30pm.

Photograph No. 727, by Giorgio Sommer, (1834-1914).  Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Vesuvius eruption April 26th, 1872. Hand coloured bromide silver on glass slide version by Giorgio Sommer of his photo 2503.

Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons Sommer_2503_-_Vesuvio_eruzione_1872,_diapositiva

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1872. Painting by Gioacchino la Pira, Mt. Vesuvius, Naples Harbour in the moonlight, 1872.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1872. Painting by Gioacchino la Pira, Vesuvius eruption 1872.

 

Vesuvius eruption 26 Aprile 1872. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 19.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption April 26th, 1872.

 

Vesuvius eruption 1872. Vesuvius after the 26 Aprile 1872 eruption. 1880 drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, fig. 20.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1872 by Oswald Achenbach 1890.

 

Vesuvius in 1880. Drawing by Luigi Palmieri.

See Palmieri L., 1880. Il Vesuvio e la sua storia. Milano: Tipografia Faverio, frontespiece.

See book on E-RARA

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1888, seen smoking from central cone.

 

Vesuvius eruption, 5th July 1895, seen from the observatory. Photo by Brogi no. 10284.

 

Vesuvius eruption, July 1895 the lava flow covering the route of the Funicular.

Photo from L’illustration: Samedi 20 Juillet 1895.

 

Vesuvius Eruption. Date unknown. Vesuvio in Eruzione. Painting is shown on old postcard c.1900.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1903 seen smoking from port of Torre Annunziata.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1906. Vesuvius summit just before its eruption.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1906. Vesuvius summit after the eruption.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1906 from Maurys New Elements Geography 1907.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 13^th April 1906 on Fumagalli postcard.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1906 on old postcard.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1906.

 

Vesuvius Eruption 1913. Old postcard showing new crater at the bottom of the chasm.

 

Vesuvius. March 1922. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

 

Vesuvius Eruption pre-1923. Lantern slide in Brooklyn Museum NY USA.

 

Vesuvius from the air “in one of its slumbering moments”. Press photo dated 10th April 1923 on rear.
Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

On the back it says: “An airplane view of Vesuvius.

This striking view, taken from an airplane, shows Mt. Vesuvius in one of its slumbering moments with just a wisp of steam coming from the crater”.

 

Vesuvius photo dated 2nd February 1924. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

 

Vesuvius eruption 6th July 1924, Old postcard showing central crater with lava flows from the south.

 

Vesuvius.1929 press photo. Vesuvius again in eruption - Lava threatens towns of Terzigno, Bosco and Trecase.
Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

On the rear of the photo, it says

“Vesuvius again in eruption - Lava threatens towns.

Naples, Italy. Derzigno, Bosco, and Crecase, three towns on the side of Mt. Vesuvius, located with a mile of the central crater of the volcano, are reported as in the path of a towering wall of incandescent lava, that is pushing down Vesuvius side as a result of a new eruptive ……..”

 

Vesuvius, 25th June 1929 press photo. Vesuvius in eruption. On the rear of the photo it says:

“Vesuvius in eruption. Our picture shows a close up of molten lava being thrown from the crater of the volcano.”
Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

 

Vesuvius. 30th July 1930 press photo. New crater formed on Mt. Vesuvius.
On the rear of the photo it says:

“New crater formed on Mt. Vesuvius.

A new cone formed by the strange lava which has come forth from Mt. Vesuvius during its recent eruptions.

Volcano eruptions were followed by earthquakes which took toll of 15,000 lives in Italian cities”.

Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

 

Vesuvius. 1st August 1930 press photo. New crater formed on Vesuvius. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

On the rear of the photo it says:

“New crater formed on Vesuvius.

An observer from the Mt. Vesuvius observatory examining the lava of the new crater recently formed by violent eruptions of Mount Vesuvius which were followed by earthquakes which took a toll of more than 15,000 lives”.

 

Vesuvius Eruption, May 1933. Old postcard with title - Napoli, Vesuvio, Esplosione di Lava, Maggio 1933.

 

Vesuvius 1934. Smoking cone. Photo courtesy of Rick Bauer.

 

Vesuvius Eruption, 23rd March 1944. USAF 340^th Bombardment Group B-25 Mitchell covered with ash from Eruption.

 

Vesuvius Eruption, 23rd March 1944. An unidentified B-25C Mitchell of the 321st Bombardment group, damaged after the Vesuvius eruption at Pompeii Airfield, Italy (USAF photo).

The volcano erupted, showering nearby airfields with tons of hot volcanic ash and brimstone and severely damaged a significant number of Allied aircraft.

Aside from losing many of its B-25s, the group also suffered significant damage to its maintenance and accommodation facilities.

Pompeii Airfield was a World War II military airfield in Italy, located approximately 1 km south of Terzigno, a few kilometres east of the base of Mount Vesuvius, and approximately 20 km east-southeast of Naples.

The airfield was an all-weather temporary field built by the XII Engineering Command of the United States Army Twelfth Air Force.

The Twelfth's 340th Bombardment Group with their North American B-25 Mitchell medium bombers occupied the airfield on January 2, 1944.

When Mount Vesuvius erupted in March 1944, the B-25s were covered with hot ash that burned the fabric control surfaces, glazed, melted, or cracked the Plexiglas, and even tipped some B-25s onto their tails from the weight of the ash and tephra.

The eruption destroyed the base and nearly all of the 340th's planes. Estimates vary from 70-90 aircraft.

No lives were lost at Pompeii Airfield and the only casualties in the 340th were a sprained wrist and a few cuts, but the effects of the volcano on the aircraft proved insurmountable despite a major effort by the 12th Air Force to repair and salvage the damaged planes.

The US war effort over Italy was postponed or stopped until the aircraft could be repaired or replaced.

Pompeii airfield was dismantled and the 340th relocated to Paestum Airfield on March 23, 1944.

 

Vesuvius Eruption March 1944, USAF photo.

See Castle Films 1944 film of eruption on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZc7Mtid9a4

See British Pathé 1944 film of eruption on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-P6qQfc5fw

 

Vesuvius, acrylic on screen, painted by Andy Warhol (Pittsburgh, 1928 – New York, 1987), in 1985.

On display in exhibition “Pompei e Santorini” in Rome, 2019. Photo courtesy of Giuseppe Ciaramella.

According to the information card –

“In 1985, the Neapolitan art dealer Lucio Amelio organized a show of work by Andy Warhol in the Museo di Capodimonte entitled Vesuvius.

For the occasion, the artist developed a Pop revisitation of the volcano in a series of screen-prints whose bright colours alter the drama of the eruption in an unprecedented cartoon-like vision. Like many artists, Warhol fell under the sublime spell of Vesuvius, the best-known landmark of the Neapolitan landscape. As he wrote – “Vesuvius for me is something much greater than a myth. It is terribly real.”

 

 

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