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Night eruption of Mount Vesuvius with glowing lava and dark smoke column, lightning in the sky, and figures on the shore.

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the night of 8 August 1779. Coloured etching by Pietro Fabris, 1779.

A night eruption shows a towering column of dark smoke shot through with glowing red and orange lava and sparks, with forked lightning streaking the sky. Below, a dark volcanic cone glows against the water, and small figures on the shore react to the blast, one raising a hand.

Artist
Fabris, Pietro, active 1756-1784.
Date
[1779]
Medium
Etchings Gouaches Paintings
Source
Wellcome Collection
Size
2156 × 4000 px
Download full size
Public domain · Wellcome Collection marks it Public Domain Mark; made by 1779.
Rights checked 2026-11-05 · tier A · as stated by the source: Public Domain Mark (Wellcome Collection)

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): Wellcome Collection

Español: Erupción del Monte Vesubio en la noche del 8 de agosto de 1779

Una erupción nocturna muestra una columna oscura de humo atravesada por lava y chispas rojas y anaranjadas, con relámpagos bifurcados que cruzan el cielo. Abajo, un cono volcánico brillante se refleja en el agua, y pequeñas figuras en la orilla reaccionan a la explosión, una de ellas con el brazo levantado.

Português: Erupção do Monte Vesúvio na noite de 8 de agosto de 1779

Uma erupção noturna mostra uma coluna escura de fumaça atravessada por lava e faíscas vermelhas e alaranjadas, com relâmpagos ramificados riscando o céu. Abaixo, um cone vulcânico brilhante reflete-se na água, e pequenas figuras na margem reagem à explosão, uma delas com o braço erguido.

Night and DreamsVolcanoes, Fire and Disastersvesuviusvolcano eruptionnight eruptionlavalightningsmoke columnnaples1779coloured etchinggouachepietro fabrisvolcanic landscape

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