Hand-painted Fan with Three Views of Mount Vesuvius

During the eighteenth century, it became increasingly popular among well-to-do families and artists to undertake the Grand Tour. Such journeys could stretch from several weeks to several years and would often include visits to multiple countries. Italy was a prime destination, with cities from Venice to Naples offering a plethora of historic architecture, famous artworks, and attractive land- and seascapes. A veritable industry of souvenirs was built to cater to the tastes of these early tourists. Hand-painted fans, like this one, commemorate the landscape and historic sites around Naples. Mount Vesuvius features frequently as a marvel of nature, both for its haunting presence as an active volcano and for the fertility it brings to the surrounding soil. This fan is entirely dedicated to the volcano, showing a night-time eruption as well as its smoky silhouette from different viewpoints in the Bay of Naples.