After 250 years, Mount Vesuvius artwork erupts into life

A mechanical artwork designed in 1775 to depict the eruption of Italy’s Mount Vesuvius has been brought to life for the first time — 250 years after it was conceived — thanks to modern technology and the ingenuity of two University of Melbourne engineering students.

The original concept, designed by Sir William Hamilton, British ambassador to Naples and Sicily from 1765 to 1800 and a passionate vulcanologist, combined art and engineering to simulate the visual drama of volcanic activity.

Based on a 1771 watercolour ‘Night view of a current of lava’ by British-Italian artist Pietro Fabris, the device uses light and motion to animate the lava flows and explosions of Vesuvius. While it’s unclear whether the mechanism was ever built in Hamilton’s time, a detailed sketch preserved in the Bordeaux Municipal Library provided the blueprint for its modern reconstruction. 

Dr Richard Gillespie, Senior Curator in the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, initiated the project and supervised its development. 

“It is fitting that after 250 years exactly, our students have brought this dormant project to life,” he said.  

“It is a wonderful piece of science communication. People around the world have always been fascinated by the immense power of volcanos.” 

Master of Mechatronics student Xinyu (Jasmine) Xu and Master of Mechanical Engineering student Yuji (Andy) Zeng spent three months building the device in The Creator Space student workshop. Using modern materials and technologies — including laser-cut timber and acrylic, programmable LED lighting, and electronic control systems — they reimagined Hamilton’s clockwork-driven design for a contemporary audience. 

“The project offered a wealth of learning opportunities. I’ve extended many skills, including programming, soldering and physics applications,” Ms Xu said.  

Mr Zeng said the project provided a new perspective on mechanical engineering applications. 

“It was a fantastic way to build my hands-on problem-solving skills,” he said. “We still faced some of the challenges that Hamilton faced. The light had to be designed and balanced so the mechanisms were hidden from view.” 

Research engineer Mr Andrew Kogios, who supervised the students, said their enthusiasm and perseverance led to enormous skill development. 

"From selecting materials and 3D printing, to troubleshooting electronics and satisfying requirements, working collaboratively with Yuji and Xinyu has been extremely rewarding," Mr Kogios said. "Experiences like these, supplementing their university studies, position them well for their future endeavours." 

The device is the centrepiece of The Grand Tour, a new exhibition in the University’s Baillieu Library, which runs until 28 June 2026.