Tanz auf dem Vulkan: Leben und Glauben im Schatten des Vesuv

The eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 was a collective trauma that revealed the fragility of the civilized world. Contemporaries explained the catastrophe from the perspective of the natural sciences or mythology, while the Christian population attempted to interpret it from the viewpoint of religion. Since the 17th century, a unique culture of piety has developed in Naples, and the natural science conducted since the 18th century has led to the erection of the first Vesuvius Observatory in the world. Today, Naples is in a field of tension between religion and science due to the ongoing threat, and this volume is dedicated to the search for explanations, meaning, and hope—despite the uncontrollable threat—based on the example of numerous works of painting, sculpture, and craft.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 412 pages
Publication date: 24 October 2022
Publisher: De Gruyter

The eruption of Vesuvius in the year AD 79 marked a profound collective trauma, unveiling the fragility of the civilized world. Contemporary perspectives on the catastrophe ranged from natural science explanations to mythical interpretations, while the Christian population later sought to interpret it from a religious standpoint. Since the 17th century, eruptions of Vesuvius have fostered a unique culture of piety in Naples. In the 18th century, the establishment of the first Vesuvius Observatory in the world marked a significant advancement in scientific understanding of the volcano. However, the ongoing threat of Vesuvius poses a constant tension between religion and science for the people of Naples.

This volume is dedicated to exploring explanations, meaning, and hope in the face of the uncontrollable threat, drawing inspiration from a wide range of artistic works, including paintings, sculptures, and crafts. By examining these artistic expressions, we aim to gain insights into the human response to disaster and find solace in the pursuit of understanding and resilience.

Weight: 1584g
Dimension: 270 x 200 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783422988545