William Travers - The Neapolitan (1903)

Oil on canvas signed lower left, in red: "WFK Travers 1903". This painting by William Travers brilliantly illustrates the aesthetic concerns of the time. The choice of bright colors and the light touch used by the artist demonstrate his desire to capture the beauty of nature and everyday life. The young woman depicted, picking flowers and basking in the sun, is an allegory of the harmony between man and his environment. However, the menace of Vesuvius, visible in the distance with its smoke rising from its summit, reminds us that man is never safe from the destructive forces of nature. Although the painting was painted several years before the 1906 eruption that claimed over 100 lives and ejected more lava than ever before, it is interesting to note that Travers did not seek to include this tragedy in his work. On the contrary, he chose to depict an ideal view of the Almafito coast, reinforcing the importance of beauty and serenity in his work. The bunch of grapes, hanging and ready to be picked, adds a touch of realism to the scene while emphasizing the idea of a simple and happy existence, in harmony with nature.