Artwork

Sketchbook: Souvenir of Naples

Sketchbook: Souvenir of Naples is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1821 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Technique & Style

The work is a painting on paper, classified as a sketchbook created as a souvenir of Naples. It was produced in 1821 and is executed on paper support, reflecting a topographical approach to city depiction. The piece is part of the Robert Lehman collection housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains in storage.

History & Provenance

The work is classified as a painting and was produced during the early 19th century, reflecting a souvenir-like depiction of the city of Naples.

Sketchbook: Souvenir of Naples is a painting created in 1821 by an unknown artist. It was acquired by Robert Lehman and is part of the collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The work is classified as a painting and was produced during the early 19th century, reflecting a souvenir-like depiction of the city of Naples. Its provenance traces from its creation in 1821 to its inclusion in Lehman's collection, which later entered the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Overview

The work, titled Sketchbook: Souvenir of Naples, depicts a nocturnal scene in which a volcano erupts against a dark sky. The luminous orange plume illuminates a calm water surface that mirrors the firelight, while two small sailboats drift motionless. A wooden fence and a few trees line the shore, emphasizing the stillness of the surrounding landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The composition juxtaposes the violent energy of the volcanic eruption with the tranquil sea and quiet shoreline. The contrast between the bright flames and the deep blue night suggests a moment of sudden illumination, capturing the immediate aftermath of the eruption’s onset.

Context

Set in the vicinity of Naples, the scene reflects the region’s proximity to active volcanoes, notably Vesuvius. The inclusion of everyday elements such as sailboats and a fence grounds the extraordinary natural event within a familiar coastal environment.