Attributed to Francesco Fidanza

D'Amodio collection, Naples, from whom acquired by the husband of the present owner more than a decade ago.

Ercolano, Villa Campolieto, Scienza e Vesuvio: millenni di storia, 21 October - 19 November 2006.

E. Beck Saiello, "Volaire, i francesi e il Vesuvio in fiamme," in G.P. Ricciardi & T. Postiglione eds., Scienza e Vesuvio: millenni di storia, exhibition catalogue, Ercolano, Villa Campolieto, 21 October - 19 November 2006, p. 129, reproduced in colour as 'Attributed to Francesco Fidanza'.

"The following condition report has been provided by Henry Gentle, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. The painting is lined and the paint surface is stable. Under U-V light there can be seen the remains of an earlier discoloured varnish as well as a scattering of re-touchings across the surface to reduce shrinkage cracking in the sky and the plume of smoke. There is further reduction of the pale filigree of cracks , however, some of the restoration is excessive. The removal of the degraded and discoloured varnish would improve the overall tonality. Offered in a carved gilt wood frame, good condition."
"This lot is offered for sale subject to Sotheby's Conditions of Business, which are available on request and printed in Sotheby's sale catalogues. The independent reports contained in this document are provided for prospective bidders' information only and without warranty by Sotheby's or the Seller."

This work was perhaps inspired by those of the French artist Pierre-Jacques-Antoine Volaire (1729-before 1802), whose views of the eruptions of Vesuvius not only made the artist famous but the genre itself extremely popular. Interest in the volcano and its eruptions increased amongst locals and Grand Tourists during the 18th century due to the continued volcanic activity of Vesuvius, particularly in the latter half of the century. The most serious eruption took place on 19 October 1767, and a number of smaller eruptions in the 1770s provided artists with ample opportunity to witness them in person and record what they saw in printed, drawn and painted form.