Volcano eruption - Épinat

The painting is entitled Eruption of a volcano, Eruption of a volcano and moonlight effect, or Eruption of Vesuvius.

The eruptions of Vesuvius, active since 1631, attracted many artists in the second half of the 18th century. At the turn of the century, Lyonnais painter Fleury Épinat spent five years in Italy to train in landscape painting, and created this painting depicting the erupting volcano at night.
The painting aims for a spectacular effect that night makes mysterious: inhabitants scramble to escape danger via the sea.
The eruption splits the painting in two with, on the one hand, an apocalyptic atmosphere that spreads a reddish hue across the sky, and on the other, a quieter but darker atmosphere that lets the full moon reflect on the water, with no clouds to obstruct its view.