NAPLES.- Intesa Sanpaolo has opened a captivating exhibition at the Gallerie d’Italia in Naples, celebrating Sir William Hamilton, a British ambassador and passionate collector, alongside his iconic wife, Lady Emma Hamilton. This exhibition delves into Hamilton’s multifaceted contributions to 18th-century Naples, a time of cultural enlightenment and scientific curiosity, and highlights Lady Hamilton’s influence on art and society.
A Display of Art and Artefacts
This exhibition, supported by the British Embassy in Rome and the Italian Embassy in London, showcases 78 remarkable pieces, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and decorative arts from prestigious institutions. Notable contributors include the Reggia di Caserta, National Portrait Gallery of London, Victoria & Albert Museum, British Museum, and private collections. The impressive array spans Italian, British, and classical artworks, shedding light on Hamilton’s passion for antiquity, science, and art.
Michele Coppola, Executive Director of Art and Culture for Intesa Sanpaolo, emphasized, “Our mission at Gallerie d’Italia is to honor Naples’ rich cultural heritage, celebrating exceptional human stories and collaborations with major international institutions.” He noted that this exhibition reinforces Intesa Sanpaolo’s commitment to civic, social, and cultural engagement through its museums.
Rediscovering William Hamilton: Collector, Diplomat, and Scientist
The exhibition draws from the foundational studies of the late Carlo Knight and a renowned 1996 British Museum show to revisit Hamilton’s intellectual legacy. As a diplomat, antiquarian, and vulcanologist, Hamilton was drawn to Naples’ vibrant environment, which nurtured his interest in ancient artifacts and natural science. His fascination with antiquity led him to assemble an impressive collection of Greek vases, many of which are on display. His partial sale of this collection to the British Museum in 1772 significantly influenced British taste and collecting trends.
Hamilton’s ambition to make his discoveries widely known led to the creation of Antiquités etrusques, grecques et romaines, one of history’s most exquisite illustrated books. The volumes contain 500 hand-colored engravings of vase paintings, curated by the eclectic scholar Pierre-François Hugues d’Hancarville with initial input from Johann Joachim Winckelmann. Hamilton intended this work to serve as a model for contemporary artists, inspiring the linear style prominent in neoclassicism, seen in figures like sculptor John Flaxman and craftsman Josiah Wedgwood.
Lady Hamilton: A Muse and Legend
A large section of the exhibit is dedicated to Lady Emma Hamilton, who rose to fame for her beauty, charisma, and celebrated “attitudes” – a series of poses embodying classical heroines and mythological figures. After marrying William Hamilton, Emma became an influential figure in Neapolitan society, with ties to Queen Maria Carolina and a famed affair with Admiral Horatio Nelson. Portraits by George Romney and Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Tischbein capture her allure and persona, which contributed to her legendary status. A video installation by the Italian Film Archive Foundation further explores her life and legacy.
Hamilton’s Travels and Scientific Curiosity
Hamilton’s life was marked by exploration and scientific observation. He journeyed through southern Italy, including the less-traveled Calabria and Sicily, driven by his interest in volcanoes and tectonic phenomena. His expeditions resulted in the Campi Phlegraei volumes, published in Naples in 1776, which document volcanic activity and landscapes through illustrations by painter Pietro Fabris. The hand-colored engravings detail the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius and other geological features, showcasing Hamilton’s contributions to vulcanology and landscape painting.
Hamilton’s Influence on Landscape Art
Hamilton’s scientific interest in natural landscapes intertwined with his patronage of artists like Giovanni Battista Lusieri and Joseph Wright of Derby. By hosting and encouraging British artists, Hamilton helped Naples become a center for modern landscape painting. These artistic exchanges fueled an emerging genre that captured the dramatic beauty of Italy’s terrains and inspired European artists.
