Pietro la Vega


Pietro la Vega was a Spanish archaeologist and artist known for his drawings of the ruins of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae.
Originally, like his brother Francisco, Pietro was a military engineer. He was also a trained cartographer. Beginning in 1764 he worked with his brother, Francesco, who at that time was appointed as the director of excavations for Ferdinand, the Bourbon king of Naples. In 1804, when Francesco died, Pietro la Vega took over as director. Pietro la Vega was a very thorough and meticulous excavator, who kept copious notes. As a result he made it possible for François Mazois to produce in 1824 the most complete report and synthesis ever published on Pompeii.