Full moon over the Bay of Naples with an eruption of Vesuvius

Details

Provenienz:
Privatsammlung, Süddeutschland;
Bassenge, Berlin, Auktion 105, 29.5.2015, Los 6059;
Privatsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen.

Descrizione

This work shows a view of the Gulf of Naples on a bright full moon night. The view is from the west, near the Scuola di Virgilio, looking towards Vesuvius, where an eruption is occurring. A cloud of ash rises into the sky and darkens it, while an avalanche of rubble and rocks descends down the slope towards the sea. In front of the Posilippo mountain range, Brücke has placed a small boat, another source of light, with two fishermen on it, who, with their harpoons ready to strike, are using their torches to attract sea creatures from the depths. Wilhelm Brücke stayed in Italy between 1829 and 1834 (and again in 1839/40). He painted various views of the coast near Naples during these years and later in his home studio.