Date of Award
2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Humanities
First Advisor
Brion, Katherine
Area of Concentration
Art History
Abstract
Joseph Wright is known for his candlelit depictions of scientific inquiry that reflect the popularization of science during the age of Enlightenment. Less well-known are his multiple views of Mount Vesuvius, which were inspired by his travel on the Grand Tour. This thesis explores the ongoing influence of scholarly science and notions of the sublime on the creation of Wright’s later Vesuvius artworks. It looks at the artist’s methods of studying the volcano and his connections to scholars interested in the sciences, particularly geology, and also examines the popular appeal of Vesuvius as part of a market for Grand Tour images. Wright’s Vesuvius compositions combine a layered temporality with sublime drama, reflecting the rich history present in Naples and capturing the emotion of standing before the fiery volcano.
Recommended Citation
Hampton, Jaime, "ON THE EDGE OF THE VOLCANO: SCIENCE AND THE SUBLIME IN JOSEPH WRIGHT OF DERBY’S VIEWS OF MOUNT VESUVIUS" (2019). Theses & ETDs. 5704.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/5704