Vesuvius in Eruption c. 19th century

Editor: Here we have Thomas Jeavons's print, "Vesuvius in Eruption." It's incredibly dramatic, almost theatrical. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see more than just a depiction of a natural disaster. Consider how the spectacle of Vesuvius was consumed by European audiences. It's a romantic vision, yes, but it also speaks to the power dynamics inherent in witnessing destruction from a safe distance. Who benefits from this image? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. So, the sublime can also be a form of privilege? Curator: Precisely. And think about the communities living in the shadow of Vesuvius, then and now. Their relationship to this eruption is profoundly different. How does Jeavons's print reinforce or challenge existing power structures? Editor: This gives me a lot to think about. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, it offers a potent intersectional lens through which to view both art and reality.