History of the extinct volcanoes of the basin of Neuwied on the Lower Rhine
Description:
These images depict the European landscape in 1832 as shaped by a Laacher See eruption. In the upper left corner, a farmer is plowing his field with the help of a mule. The village of Eich is depicted in the same frame. The lower frame depicts the hills created by the supervolcano. Due to the formation of these hills, streams (like the Nette depicted in the lower portion of this image) are allowed to flow through valleys to sustain life in the surrounding villages.
Copyright:
Copyright 2009, Memorial Library, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Primary Works:
Hibbert, Samuel. History of the extinct volcanoes of the basin of Neuwied on the Lower Rhine (Edinburgh: W. and D. Laing, 1832).
Accession Number:
A10966
Height (in centimeters):
21
Width (in centimeters):
24
Printing Context
The book History of the Extinct Volcanoes with "Plate VIII" was published in 1831 shortly after Charlotte and Samuel Hibbert drew the landscape surrounding Laacher See. A copy of their landscape etching is now owned and available to the public in Memorial Library at the University of Wisconsin—Madison.Associated Events
The Accomplishments of Samuel Hibbert-WareAssociated Places
Village of EichAssociated Texts
The Volcanic District from the book History of the Extinct Volcanoes of the Basin of Neuwied on the Lower Rhine by Samuel Hibbert.Subject
This image gives a scientific portrayal of the village of Eich and the surrounding countryside as shaped by volcanic activity of Laacher See.Significance
After studying the Eifel mountain range with her husband Samuel, Charlotte Hibbert-Ware realized that much of the landscape was formed by volcanic activity. She portrayed this countryside as peaceful and picturesque. There are no exploding volcanoes or clouds of smoke which would evoke the sublime. Peaceful portrayals of volcanic landscapes began to emerge after more was discovered concerning volcanoes. Romantic culture began to understand the potential benefits of volcanic activity for the environment, and it is this sense of natural order and peace that pervades this particular image.Function
After five years of marriage, Charlotte and Samuel traveled to Germany where they studied the Eifel mountain range together. Charlotte etched this image during their journey. The function of the piece is to accompany Samuel’s text in History of Extinct Volcanoes (the title seems ironic as the largest volcano, Laacher See, is not extinct). In this work, Samuel investigates the ways in which the landscape has been shaped by volcanic eruptions.Bibliography
Benezit, Emmanuel. Dictionary of Artists. Paris: Grund, 2006.Long Title
History of the extinct volcanoes of the basin of Neuwied on the Lower Rhine / by Samuel HibbertFeatured in Exhibit:
From the Collection:
Delineator:
Illustrator:
Image Date:
1832
Publisher:
W. and D. Laing