Andy Warhol’s “Vesuvius” canvas

The canvas "Vesuvius" by Andy Warhol is a reproduction of the famous work of the master of Pop Art, who reinterpreted the Neapolitan volcano with his unmistakable style. The original work is preserved in the gallery of the Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte, in Naples.

The American artist was inspired by his meeting with the gallery owner Lucio Amelio, who brought him to Naples together with Joseph Beuys. Warhol created the work as a series, as was his style, using different colours full of energy and explosiveness. Fascinated by the iconic nature of Vesuvius, he transformed it into a pop symbol with bright colours and stylised forms.

The work was exhibited in Naples, where Vesuvius was already a symbol of the city, celebrated by artists of every era. Warhol transformed it into a modern icon, combining pop culture with historical tradition.

Characteristics

• Dimensions: Height × width: 11.81 × 9.45 in (30 × 24 cm); 22.83 × 17.72 in (58 × 45 cm); 31.50 × 39.37 in (80 × 100 cm)
• Material: canvas
• Mounting: with wooden stretcher
• Thickness: 0.59 in (1.5 cm)
• Made in Italy

Historical Curiosities

The work Vesuvius leads to Warhol's reuse of the acrylic painting that he had abandoned in the 1960s in favor of screen printing. His imprint still remains today in contemporary art and on its visual language based on seriality and the influence of the mass media on the image.

"For me the eruption is a shocking image, an extraordinary event and also a great piece of sculpture. Vesuvius for me is much bigger than a myth: it is something terribly real ."