Artwork
Il Vesuvio

Il Vesuvio is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Edward Cooke. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Il Vesuvio is a pencil drawing created by Edward Cooke in 1861, depicting a serene bay scene with Mount Vesuvius in the background.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing shows a tranquil bay with two boats and a volcanic landscape. A small rowboat is near the shore, while a larger sailing ship is farther out. The volcano, Vesuvius, emits smoke, adding a sense of tension to the otherwise peaceful scene.
Technique & Style
Cooke employed loose, expressive lines to convey the movement of light on the water and the dynamism of the scene. The use of pencil allows for a range of tonal values, capturing the atmosphere of the bay and the volcano's activity.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
This British artist spent decades drawing Scotland’s skylines and shores in pencil and ink.












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