A Hilltop, Naples 1782

Thomas Jones created ‘A Hilltop, Naples’ using oil paints on canvas, a fine art tradition. But consider the geological processes implied here. Look at the rugged textures of the stone walls, the stratified layers of the hillside. Jones is not just depicting a scene, but also documenting the very substance of the earth. The layering effect is echoed in the way the paint itself has been applied. Think of the labor involved in quarrying and shaping those stones, as well as the social stratification they represent. The hilltop is surmounted by a building that seems to exert its power over the city below. So, the landscape itself becomes a stage for human activity, industry, and hierarchy. By attending to the material qualities of paint, stone, and earth, we see how this canvas reflects the wider world. Ultimately, the social context of the depicted landscape gives full meaning to the artwork, allowing us to challenge the traditional distinction between fine art and craft.