John Evelyn in Naples 1645

1914

Special Collections DG804 EX6 1914

Oxford: B. H. Blackwell

Some famous Neapolitans include poet Statius (1st century AD), poet Giambattista Marino (d.1625), philosopher Giambattista Vico (d.1744), and more recently tenor Enrico Caruso (d.1921) and Giuliana Rancic of E! TV fame. Visitors to Naples have included artist Caravaggio (d.1610); the German archaeologist Winckelmann (d.1768); Goethe (d.1832); and Alexandre Dumas (d.1870). At the age of 24, diarist John Evelyn (1620-1706) visited Naples and his account – published long after his death – shed light on the art, culture and politics of the city. This passage – with annotations by Evelyn scholar Esmond de Beer – records visits to various churches such as the cathedral and St. Maria Maggiore. Note that Vesuvius is ‘smoaking’.