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8 William Hamilton Hamilton’s famous three-volume work brings togeth- er magnificent vedute views of the area around Naples, made during the eruptions of Mount Vesuvius from 8 July to 29 October 1767. His publication was a milestone in the study of volcanic activity, which owed its success in large part to a European network of scholars with whom the explorer shared and discussed his findings and obser- vations. The etchings resemble paintings, and their ex- traordinarily luminous colouring has survived to this day. Campi Phlegraei. Observations on the Volcanos of the Two Sicilies. 3 volumes, Naples 1776–1779. Estimate: CHF 50 000/70 000 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION DECORATIVE ARTS Stephan Koller skoller@kollerauctions.com OLD MASTER PRINTS & DRAWINGS Franz-Carl Diegelmann diegelmann@kollerauctions.com BOOKS & AUTOGRAPHS Dr Andreas Terwey terwey@kollerauctions.com ONLINE CATALOGUES www.kollerauctions.com Bertel Thorvaldsen This classic depiction of a slightly larger-than-life Adonis is inspired by representations of gods from antiquity. The sculpture is most likely by the circle of the Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen, who had a studio near the Piazza Barberini in Rome circa 1800. Adonis is considered the epitome of male beauty in Greek mythology. The tree stump and the slain hare refer to Adonis’ birth and his early death. The sculpture is strongly reminiscent of Adonis figures by Thorvaldsen, but is moremasculine and athletic in execution. Thorvaldsen's depiction of Adonis with a fig leaf has survived in a drawing. What varies from Thorvaldsen’s version is the posture of the head, which is tilted to the right in the present statue, as well as the use of grey rather than white stone. It seems reasonable to assume that the work was created by an artist who was familiar with Thorvaldsen’s works and who may also have worked in his studio. A marble sculpture of Adonis, Rome circa 1810. H 210 cm. Estimate: CHF 125 000/180 000 Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo The inspiration for this drawing by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo probably came from an altarpiece by his fa- ther, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo: ‘St Thecla delivers the city from the plague’ in the Chiesa delle Grazie in Este, completed in 1759. The work is part of a large series of variations on the God the Father motif by the younger Tiepolo, further examples of which are in important collections such as the Museo Correr in Venice and the Albertina in Vienna. God the Father on clouds, borne by angels. Pen and brown ink, black chalk. 24.1 × 16.5 cm. Estimate: CHF 8 000/12 000