A Map of Vesuvius

This portrayal of Mount Vesuvius’ previous lava flow hints that Romantic culture was cultivating a new interest in volcanism, bolstered by scientific advancements. The image’s significance is neither sublime nor picturesque, yet John Auldjo still drew, copied, and sold this map successfully. This suggests that Romantic culture no longer required the sublime in portrayals of volcanoes, and that the public was becoming more invested in a scientific understanding of volcanoes.

John Auldjo climbed Mount Vesuvius in 1831 as the volcano’s small cone, Monte Somma, was showing activity. Auldjo’s objective was to sketch the volcano to record its activity. He also studied mineral samples in order to discover where the lava had flowed during past eruptions. Upon completion of his voyage to Vesuvius, Auldjo believed citizens should experience his scientific endeavors through the medium of his sketches. Consequently, he published many copies of Sketches of Vesuvius, which narrates his expedition and findings (S. Flowers, "Auldjo, John").

Auldjo was admitted to (and soon dropped out of) the University of Cambridge, where he gained some formal knowledge of botany before climbing Mont Blanc and Mount Vesuvius. John Auldjo’s topographic map of Vesuvius depicting the volcanoe's previous lava flows is meant for scientific purposes alone. During his climb, Auldjo collected mineral samples and dated them to create an accurate survey of the land. Consequently, the function of this map was to show Vesuvius’ eruption history as indicated by lava flow. The scientific community learned much about lava flow in general from this map, as well as the specific tendencies of lava flow on Mount Vesuvius. Such information could be used to better predict what towns might be in danger during an eruption.

This map of Vesuvius is color-coded to indicate the various routes of lava flows traced during Vesuvius’ major eruptions from 1631. Palo, the larger cone, is marked with every lava flow (colored red, brown, and green). Monte Somma is depicted slightly to the left of Palo, and has only one (perhaps two) lava flows. Additionally, walking trails and cities (including Pompeii in the bottom right), along with various landmarks, are depicted in the piece. In the bottom left is a key indicating (by color) when each lava flow occurred. The compass rose is located in the top left.

Auldjo's portrayal of Mount Vesuvius’ previous lava flow hints that Romantic culture was cultivating a new interest in volcanism, bolstered by scientific advancements. The image’s significance is neither sublime nor picturesque, yet John Auldjo still drew, copied, and sold this map successfully. This suggests that Romantic culture no longer required the sublime in portrayals of volcanoes, and that the public was becoming more invested in a scientific understanding of volcanoes.

"A Map of Vesuvius" from Sketches of Vesuvius was created in 1831 shortly after a minor eruption by Vesuvius’ small cone, Monte Somma. This copy of the image was then privately owned by Chester H. Thordarson before arriving in Special Collections at the University of Wisconsin—Madison.