An Eruption of Mount Vesuvius, with the Procession of St. Januariu'-s Head 1778

Joseph Wright of Derby's "An Eruption of Mount Vesuvius, with the Procession of St. Januariu'-s Head" (1778) is a dramatic depiction of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The painting features a fiery, glowing red sky, with dark silhouettes of trees and figures against the bright, fiery background. Wright's painting combines a dramatic natural event with a religious procession, referencing the tradition of carrying the head of Saint Januarius through the streets of Naples to avert volcanic eruptions. The painting is an example of Wright’s interest in depicting dramatic scenes of light and shadow, which he explored throughout his career.