Who painted Mount Vesuvius in Eruption?

Mount Vesuvius in Eruption was painted by Jacob More in 1790.

Where can I see Mount Vesuvius in Eruption?

Mount Vesuvius in Eruption is held by National Galleries Scotland.

What movement is Mount Vesuvius in Eruption?

Mount Vesuvius in Eruption is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Mount Vesuvius in Eruption

Jacob More , 1790

Mount Vesuvius in Eruption is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Jacob More. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.

About this work

Overview

Jacob More’s 1790 oil painting titled Mount Vesuvius in Eruption is part of the collection of the Scottish National Gallery. The work captures a volcanic landscape dominated by the erupting summit, rendered in a dramatic composition that emphasizes both natural force and human response.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas portrays Mount Vesuvius spewing a towering column of smoke and ash, its crater cloaked in darkness. A warm, golden glow suffuses the surrounding terrain, while figures in the foreground scramble away, suggesting the peril and urgency evoked by the sudden disaster.

Technique & Style

More employs a strong contrast between deep, shadowy tones on the volcano’s peak and luminous, amber hues in the landscape, creating a visual tension that guides the eye toward the eruptive plume. The handling of light and atmospheric effects reflects the late‑18th‑century landscape tradition, emphasizing drama through color juxtaposition.

History & Provenance

Completed in 1790, the painting entered the Scottish National Gallery’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s interest in British and European landscape painting of the period.

Context

Created during a time when volcanic eruptions captured the imagination of the Enlightenment public, the work aligns with contemporary interests in natural phenomena and the sublime. More’s choice of Vesuvius—a historically resonant site—places the painting within a broader European fascination with dramatic natural events.