View of the Solfatara near Pozzuoli, outside Naples
c. 1611
Billowing clouds of sulfurous steam dominate this dramatic 17th-century sketch of the Solfatara crater near Naples, a site that has fascinated travelers since Roman times. The artist used meticulous hatching to capture the rolling, toxic fumes rising from the volcanic earth, dwarfing the tiny human figures exploring the hazardous landscape. Created around 1611 during the Baroque period, this drawing reflects the era's growing fascination with the sublime power of nature and the Grand Tour. It's a fantastic snapshot of early tourism, where brave adventurers would visit active volcanoes just to feel the ground shake beneath their feet!
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