The image depicts the eruption of Mount Vesuvius which occurred in AD 79. It was painted with oil on canvas by an unknown artist in 1812. People watch a volcano erupt at night from the coast line. Painting of Mount Vesuvius erupting in 1812 as seen from the Ponte dell Maddalena Why is the image a secondary source? It is a visual representation of the event. It was created after the event took place. It represents a historian’s view of the event. It includes detailed information about the event.