Description
Baia was an ancient Roman town on the north-west shore of the Gulf of Naples. During the ancient Roman period it became a fashionable resort, famed for its spa waters and warm climate. It was widely regarded as superior even to Capri, Pompeii and Herculaneum and the wealthiest, most powerful citizens built luxurious villas there. Due to volcanic activity over the centuries, part of Baia now lies under the sea, whilst the upper part is still on land.
The Temple of Diana is next to the entrance to the small port of modern Baia. It was built during the reign of Hadrian (117-137 AD). Archaeological excavations have revealed that this structure was in fact a thermal bath and not a Temple.
Another version of this watercolour, dated 1808, is in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (see Francis Hawcroft, Travels in Italy 1776-1783, exhibition catalogue, 1988, no.138, pp.113-4, ill.). On both watercolours, an inscription on the reverse incorrectly identifies the subject as the Temple of Venus.
Inscription
Inscribed on reverse of original mount in a later hand: J. Smith/Remains of the Temple of Venus on the Coast of Baia near Naples
Image Licence
All Rights Reserved
Image Credit
image © Guy Peppiatt Fine Art
Location
Temple of Diana, Bacoli, Naples, Campania, Italy
Country
Italy
Tags
Category
Buildings & Architecture
TWW Comment
Dated to 1814 according to https://archive.org/stream/johnwarwicksmith00longuoft/johnwarwicksmith00longuoft_djvu.txt
