Mount Vesuvius Essay

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ART MUSEUM VIEWING WORKSHEET
Title: View of the Eruption of Mount Vesuvius
Artist: Pierre Jacqces Volaire
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 56 × 76 cm
Year: 1770’s
Historical context: Pierre Jacqces Volaire was a French artist. Joseph Vernet took Volaire under his wing by making him his assistant. For 8 years Vernet and Volaire Traveled. Mount Vesuvius eruption inspired Volaire to paint. (http://www.getty.edu/art/collection/artists/867/pierre-jacques-volaire-french-1729-1799/ 1) Mount Vesuvius is the only active volcano in Europe and has generated some of the world’s largest eruptions. Although the volcano has stands inactive since 1944 it still remains a big threat to many of the cities in Italy. (Ball 1)
What attracted you to the work? The detail of the painting is what attracted me to this artwork. The painting makes me feel like I’m standing there with the people the night the volcano erupted. The way the artists uses all the dark colors to bring out the natural look and making the bright colors seem more real. Just looking at the painting I know why the volcano inspired Volaire so much. …show more content…

Many people wait by the water, crying and watching the island be covered by fire and lava. The main thing you see when just taking a glance at the painting is the smoking that seems to be rolling from the fire coming from the island. The moon shines bright in the background while you see its reflection in the water with other ships. I see mounts in the background that seem to be just watching from the background. I can make out shadows form houses just below the fire about to be hit by the lava and fire from the

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