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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Jonathan Jones

What a blast: Joseph Wright of Derby's Vesuvius in Eruption

Vesuvius in Eruption, with a View Over the Islands of the Bay of Naples
A vertical jet of golden flame spurts out of the summit of Mount Vesuvius in this fantastic display of light and darkness that portrays (from imagination) its eruption in 1779. The red atmosphere around the eruption is enfolded in massive dark clouds of ash. Vesuvius itself is illuminated orange while the night sky is lit by a moon that glitters in spangles of silver on the Bay of Naples. Glowing smoky lava crawls across the landscape as people flee. This painting from the 18th century age of Enlightenment marvels at the sheer power of nature.
Illustration: Tate
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