20 GIOVANNI BATTISTA Executed on six large sheets of watercolor paper, this sweeping view of the western LUSIERI Neapolitan coastline is Lusieri's largest and boldest work. While the clientele for his Italian, circa 1755­1821 topographical paintings were primarily English aristocrats on the Grand Tour, this A View of the Bay of Naples, extraordinary image was not created for the tourist market. It was made from a 1791 window in the Palazzo Sessa, the Neapolitan residence of Sir William Hamilton, Pen and ink, gouache, British Minister Plenipotentiary from 1764 to 1799. On July 5, 1791, Lusieri wrote and warercolor on paper 102x272 cm (40½ x 107 in.) to Hamilton, then on leave in London, that he had supervised the loading of the "large Along the lower center edge, drawing" onto a ship. It would seem likely that it was this work, perhaps commissioned signed and dated G. B. Lusier 1791 by Hamilton so that when he returned to his often gloomy native land, he could still 85.GC.281 enjoy the sunny vista from his house in Naples and share it with his friends. Detail overleaf While Naples has become much more densely populated in the two centuries since Lusieri made this view, much is still recognizable owing to his remarkable accuracy and clarity. Contemporaries commented on the then unusual practice of drawing and coloring his scenes on the spot rather than in his studio. Lusieri's detailed observation and almost fanatical precision suggest that he used some sort of mechanical aid, such as a camera obscura, whose arrangement of mirrors and lenses enables the tracing of outlines. Whether he did or not, it is clear that he firmly resisted the trend toward the romantic landscape, always seeking to imitate nature faithfully. Unfortunately, Lusieri's painting can be exhibited only occasionally, and then under very low light. The watercolor medium is one of the most fugitive, and every exposure to light means some fading will occur, even if it is not immediately perceptible. Because pigments fade at varying rates, it is remarkable that Lusieri's renowned balance of color is so beautifully preserved in this work. By showing it only periodically, we hope to preserve this magnificent record of the appearance of the Bay of Naples in 1791. DC ITALIAN SCHOOL 39