William Travers - The Neapolitan Woman with Tambourine (1903)

Oil on canvas signed in the lower left corner in red: "W.F.K Travers 1903".

This painting by William Travers brilliantly illustrates the aesthetic concerns of the time. The artist's choice of bright colors and light touch testify to his desire to capture the beauty of nature and everyday life. The young woman depicted, picking flowers and lounging in the sun, is an allegory of harmony between man and his environment. However, the threat of Vesuvius, visible in the distance with its smoke rising from its summit, reminds us that man is never safe from the destructive forces of nature.
Although the painting was created several years before the 1906 eruption that claimed more than 100 lives and ejected more lava than ever before, it is interesting to note that Travers did not seek to include this tragedy in his work. On the contrary, he chose to depict an ideal view of the Amalfi coast, thus emphasizing the importance of beauty and serenity in his work. The grape cluster, suspended and ready to be picked, adds a touch of realism to the scene while accentuating the idea of a simple and happy existence, in harmony with nature.