Brandhaard van vulkaanuitbarsting in 1669 gelegen naast Monte Rosso 1778

Louis Ducros made this watercolor and gouache panorama of the aftermath of a volcanic eruption in 1769, next to Monte Rosso. Ducros, working in the late 18th century, a time of burgeoning scientific exploration, captured not just a landscape, but a moment of profound transformation. This work then, is a document of natural forces but it also represents the cultural and societal responses to the sublime power of nature. What did it mean to witness and record such devastation? There is an emotional complexity present, a blend of awe and terror. This vista might evoke questions about human existence in the face of overwhelming forces. The piece invites us to consider our place within the natural world, challenging traditional narratives of human dominance. Ducros masterfully captures both the delicate beauty and destructive force of nature.