“Fire in a port near Naples“, this dramatic painting was executed in the late 18th century and due to fully identical style, composition and time  of the creation was atteibuted to the hand of French painter Pierre-Jacques Volaire (1729–c.1802), known as Il Cavalier Volaire.

For comparison see several similar works by Volaire.

He was a French landscape painter famous for his dramatic depictions of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and Neapolitan coastal landscapes, often with fire.  He lived and worked for many years in Naples, where he was appreciated for his use of light and shadow in his paintings.

 Volaire is particularly known for his numerous paintings depicting Vesuvius at night, often with lava flows and onlookers.
Style: His works combine elements of veduta painting with the dramatic style of the late Baroque and precursors of Romanticism.

Education: He was born in Toulon and was a pupil of Joseph Vernet.

Career: After his time in France, he moved to Italy, where he worked as Il Cavalier Volaire. His works regularly appear at prestigious art auctions and arrive high results.

Literature: Le Chevalier Volaire by E.Beck-Sailero; Art lexicons: Bénézit ; Thieme/Becker.

Inscription: unsigned.

Technique: oil on canvas, antique gilt frame. 

Measurements: unframed  19 5/8" x 15 3/8" ( 50 x 39 cm),  framed 26 1/2" x 22 1/4"(67,5 x 56,5 cm).

Condition: good condition due to the age, old relining of the canvas.