Groep mannen een vrouwen aan de voet van de Vesuvius tijdens een uitbarsting c. 1880 - 1920

This photograph captures an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, with a group of onlookers in the foreground. The anonymous photographer was working in a tradition of landscape imagery, but their presence at Vesuvius marks a significant point in the history of tourism. By the nineteenth century, Vesuvius had become a popular destination for travellers and scientists alike. Its frequent eruptions, while dangerous, offered a spectacle of natural power. This image underscores the complex relationship between humanity and nature, as the group observes the eruption with a mix of awe and perhaps a touch of bravado. It subtly critiques the romanticization of natural disasters, questioning our role as spectators. Historical archives, travel logs, and scientific studies of the period are invaluable in understanding the social context that frames photographs like this. The image reminds us of the contingent nature of art, intertwined with social and institutional forces.