Vases & Volcanoes

Bol Partner

Sir William Hamilton (1730-1803), perhaps better known today as husband of Nelsons mistress Emma, was in his own time a renowned antiquary, connoisseur and natural historian. As British Minister Plenipotentiary tothe Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Hamilton lived in Naples for thirty-six years. There his reputation attracted Grand Tourists and distinguished visitors from all over Europe.While Hamilton was in Naples the buried cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were in the process of being uncovered and he took a keen interest in the excavations.The rich archaeological sites of southern Italy afforded him numerous opportunities for collecting antiquities: as well as Greek vases, he acquired sculpture, bronzes, engraved gemstones and gold jewelry. At the same time Hamilton became fascinated by Vesuvius, which was particularly active at the time, and he included cut and polished rock specimens among his acquisitions. He also collected paintings and drawings, both old masters and specially commissioned works: among the latter were a number of portraits of Emma.Diplomat, scholar, lover of art and music, natural historian and even creator of gardens, Hamilton epitomises the encyclopaedic interests of the eighteenth-century amateur. The six essays in this book discuss all these aspects of his life and career; in addition, some 200 items formerly in his possession but now in the British Museum and other public and private collections all over the world are fully described and illustrated.

Amazon

Pagina's: 320, Paperback, British Museum Press