Joseph Wright of Derby: A View of Vesuvius from Posillipo 1788/90
If humans are afraid of something, they deify it. Deification saves humans from the shame not vanquishing the place: because Gods are invincible. Mount Vesuvius is an invincible divine too.
On Joseph Wright of Derby’s painting the Vesuvius is not a dreadful volcano. It is not in the front or in the middle of the composition, and it is not big. The quiet bay of Posillipo overshadows the mountain. Vesuvius is just sitting idly in the background spluttering lavas like fireworks. Vesuvius paints the nightly sky red and colors the sea, so sending words to humanity about its return.
Derby’s landscapes are never boring. He beautifully played with the effects of lights on his paintings creating masterpieces. He did it not the way like Turner did with his golden yellowish colors but with drastic contrasts. Derby depicted scientific subjects and portraits as well and the Vesuvius was his favorite subject in Italy.
Although the volcano did not erupt in the years Derby painted this painting, it is possible that frightening people was its free time activity. The painter could of course work from his visionary mind.
Nevertheless it is a great landscape of the power of Nature.
