Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14

The Eruption of Vesuvius 14 May 1771 by Heinrich Guttenberg, c. 1800

About the Item

Eruption du Mont Vésuve, du 14 Mai, 1771 (Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, May 14, 1771) is an engraving by Heinrich Guttenberg after a painting by Pierre-Jacques Volaire. In this imposing composition, molten lava spews from the mouth of Mount Vesuvius in Italy and winds down the hillside towards the Bay of Naples. Energetic human figures observe the spectacle, their small scale emphasizing the volcano’s enormity. Vesuvius erupted six times between 1707 and 1794 and thus became a touchstone of popular culture at the time. The excavation of Pompeii that began in 1748 helped launch a popular mania for the ancient world and contributed to increased interest in Naples as a destination for travelers on the grand tour of Italy. Volaire first depicted the volcano when it erupted once again in 1771; the sea of glowing molten lava throws the tiny spectators into relief. He went on to paint numerous views, many sold as souvenirs to wealthy tourists. The romance of Vesuvius simultaneously wondrous and terrifying, ancient and contemporary—made it a frequent subject in 18th-century European art and literature. Guttenberg was first trained as an engraver by J.J. Preissler and then by A.L. Wirsching. He also trained in Paris under Wille, and remained for many years in France (1770-93 and 1803-16). Marked in the plate, LL: Peint d'apres nature par Volaire a Naples, No. 32 Marked in the plate, LR: Grave par H. Guttenberg, A.P.D.R. Marked in the plate, TR: Naples France, circa 1800.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)Width: 24.25 in (61.6 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1800
  • Condition:
    The engraving has been professionally conserved and mounted on an acid-free mat. Wear commensurate with age.
  • Seller Location:
    Kenilworth, IL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 12191stDibs: LU6534237627912

More From This Seller

View All
Pair of French hand colored theatrical engravings, c. 1800
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Pair of hand colored theatrical engravings from a bound volume containing 45 theatrical prints and nine drawings showing French actors and opera singers i...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

A View of the Ruins of the Pantheon at Athens by Julien-David Le Roy, 1758
By Le Roy
Located in Kenilworth, IL
“A View of the Ruins of the Pantheon built by Adrian at Athens” (Vue des Ruines du Pantheon bati par Adrien a Athenes) is an engraving from one of Classical Greek architectural struc...
Category

Antique 1750s French Prints

Materials

Paper

Engraving of the Abbey Church of Westminster by John Coney, 1820
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Copperplate engraving, printed on laid paper of the exterior of the Henry VII Lady Chapel at Westminster Abbey in London, England. Engraved and printed in 1820. Faint handwriting in ...
Category

Antique 1820s British Prints

Materials

Paper

Engraving of London from the Docklands by Rowland Langmaid, 1926
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Widescreen copperplate engraving of London on the Thames River from the Docklands. English, 1926. Dimensions: 20-1/4” W x 10-1/8” H x 3/4" D (framed)
Category

Vintage 1920s British Prints

Materials

Paper

Pair of prints from “The Ferns of North America" by Daniel Cady Eaton, 1879
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Pair of American botanical chromolithographic prints from “The Ferns of North America” by Daniel Cady Eaton, published by S.E. Cassino. Mounted on eight ply archival mat and framed i...
Category

Antique 1870s American Prints

Materials

Paper

Jay's Squirrel from the “Quadrupeds of North America" by J.J. Audubon, 1848
By John James Audubon
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Jay's Squirrel from the Audubon quarto edition of “Quadrupeds of North America”. The print has been archival mounted and framed in a period molding. Top left: No. 18 Top right: Plat...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

1798 Engraving of Mt. Vesuvius Eruptions - Lava in 1760, Ashes in 1794
Located in Langweer, NL
1798 Engraving of Mt. Vesuvius Eruptions - Lava in 1760, Ashes in 1794 Description: This 1798 hand-coloured copperplate engraving is from Johann Ludwig Bertuch's "Bilderbuch für Kin...
Category

Antique 1790s Prints

Materials

Paper

Fiery Majesty: The Volcano Eruption of Kilauea on Hawaii, 1895
Located in Langweer, NL
The image is an illustration of the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, as indicated by the German caption "Der Kilauea-Vulkan auf Hawaii (Nach der Natur)" which translates to "The Kilauea Vo...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Engraving of the Empress of Russia's Night Carriage Amidst Eruption, 1784
Located in Langweer, NL
"THE EMPRESS OF RUSSIA'S TRAVELLING EQUIPAGE," as indicated by the title at the bottom of the print. It portrays a unique scene featuring a large, box-like carriage being transport...
Category

Antique 1780s Prints

Materials

Paper

Neapolitan Gouache Vesuvius Eruption, c.1830
Located in Savannah, GA
A neapolitan gouache depicting a Vesuvius eruption, circa 1840. Inscription on frame verso detailing provenance from Collins family of New York: "Charles Bush Collins bought this pi...
Category

Antique 1830s Italian Other Paintings

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Antique Map of the Burmese Empire by Symes, '1800'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Empire Birman d'après une carte'. Map of the Burmese Empire. This map originates from 'Relation de l'Ambassade Anglaise, envoyée en 1795 dans le Royaume d'Ava, ou...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Maps

Materials

Paper

Antique Print of the Burmese Alphabet by Symes, 1800
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Alphabet Birman'. Print of the Burmese alphabet. This print originates from 'Relation de l'Ambassade Anglaise, envoyée en 1795 dans le Royaume d'Ava, ou l'Empir...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Prints

Materials

Paper

Recently Viewed

View All