Moon Landscape with Vesuvius Eruption

This is one of two overdoors by Fidanza listed during the reign of Prince-Archbishop Colloredo in the 1802/1803 inventories. The night is illuminated by two natural light sources: the cold white moonlight and the warm orange-red glow of the erupting volcano. Ominously, the fiery mountain spews lava and rocks, endangering the town visible in its glow. Ships lie in the bay, the crews busy hauling in their nets. People on the shore and in the boats watch the spectacle of nature in fascination. Nocturnal scenes like this were immensely popular among Grand Tourists. After the almost continuous activity of Vesuvius in the 1770s, the volcano became the most famous landmark of Naples.

DUCKE Astrid: Fidanza Gregorio, Moon Landscape with Vesuvius Eruption, object description for the exhibition "Masterworks. Residenzgalerie Salzburg" (23.2.-3.7.2022)