The view of the smoking Vesuvius across the bay of Posillipo was one of the 19th century’s most popular Italian pictorial motifs. Dahl combines rapid brushwork with fine details like fishermen and sails, rigging and houses on the shore and gives the small image a narrative, loose feeling. But in fact, Dahl’s Vesuv was only produced over 20 years after his trip to Italy. It is a reminiscence not only of Italy, but also of the technique of the oil sketch, with which a momentary impression was captured on site.