Vesuvius from Posillipo 

Joseph Wright of Derby created this painting with oils, capturing an eruption of Vesuvius as seen from Posillipo. The canvas is split vertically, dominated by a lurid, fiery glow on the right contrasting against a serene, moonlit scene to the left. This juxtaposition evokes a sense of awe, perhaps even unease. The composition here is fascinating. The dark, silhouetted foreground gives way to a body of water, reflecting both the moonlight and the volcanic eruption. Wright masterfully uses light and shadow to structure the scene, with the volcano acting as a focal point, destabilizing the calm of the night. The fiery glow isn't just a visual spectacle. It's a sign, an emblem of nature's power subverting human attempts to find serenity. Wright’s dramatic use of light here is not merely aesthetic. It’s part of a broader cultural discourse, reflecting Enlightenment interests in science, nature, and the sublime. The volcano, both beautiful and terrifying, challenges fixed categories, engaging us with new ways of thinking about perception, knowledge, and the power of the natural world.