Discover William Hamilton: the event exhibition at the Gallerie d’Italia in Naples
From 25 October 2024 to 2 March 2025 , the Gallerie d’Italia in Naples will host an extraordinary exhibition dedicated to William Hamilton , a famous diplomat and art enthusiast who lived in 18th-century Naples . Get ready to immerse yourself in a unique journey through art, science and social life!
Who was William Hamilton?
Son of Lord Archibald Hamilton and childhood friend of King George III , William arrived in Naples in 1764 as British ambassador . Here he spent over thirty years amid Greco-Roman antiquities, eruptions of Vesuvius and high society. His residences – such as Villa Emma in Posillipo and Palazzo Sessa in Pizzofalcone – became centres of culture and refinement. His illustrious guests included names such as Goethe , Mozart and Tsar Paul I of Russia . Hamilton is today remembered as one of the most influential figures of the eighteenth century , celebrated by prestigious institutions such as the Royal Academy and the Royal Society of London .
One man, a thousand passions
William Hamilton was not only the British ambassador to the court of Ferdinand IV of Bourbon and Maria Carolina of Habsburg : he was a visionary, a collector and a passionate volcanologist. The “Enlightened” Naples of the eighteenth century, with its cultural fervor, was the perfect stage for his great passions to grow: from classical antiquity to science, passing through the refined social life that made him an iconic figure.
An exhibition of art, volcanoes and European culture
The exhibition is divided into sections that tell the story of Hamilton’s connection with volcanology, landscape painting, music and collecting . Great attention is also paid to his role in Neapolitan society and to the legendary Lady Emma Hamilton , his second wife, muse and protagonist of a cosmopolitan social life. A unique opportunity to relive the fruitful cultural exchanges between Italy and the United Kingdom, at a crucial moment in European history .
International collaborations and masterpieces on display
The exhibition boasts the patronage of the Italian embassy in London and the British embassy in Rome , and the collaboration of experts such as Carlo Knight , Kim Sloan and Aidan Weston-Lewis, already curators of the Vases and Volcanoes exhibition at the British Museum. Among the works on display , you will find masterpieces by artists such as Angelica Kauffmann , Joseph Wright of Derby , George Romney and Jacob Philipp Hackert , which reflect the artistic vivacity of 18th-century Naples.
Not just art: a rich program of events
In addition to the exhibition, the program includes concerts organized by the Centro di Musica Antica Pietà de’ Turchini and the Alessandro Scarlatti Association , thematic meetings on women in the history of Naples and an international study day . A 360-degree cultural experience! For opening hours and closing days, please refer to the institutional website .
Tickets and benefits for everyone!
- Full ticket : only €7.
- Reduced : just €4 (Artecard holders and others).
- Free admission : reserved for schools, children under 18, Intesa Sanpaolo Group customers and affiliates.
Don’t miss the opportunity to discover a man who profoundly influenced European culture and left an indelible mark on the history of Naples. We are waiting for you at the Gallerie d’Italia!
