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View of the Louvre Art Gallery

Israel Silvestre

Basic information

ID: Г-IV-1008
Author: Israel Silvestre
Name: View of the Louvre Art Gallery
Date of creation: c.1650
Country: France
Technique: etching
Material: paper
Dimensions: 12.5 x 24 cm (height x width)

Additionally

Type: graphic art
Genre: cityscape
Plot: City landscape
Provenance: Lviv Historical Museum

Information about author

Author: Israel Silvestre
Author in the original: Israël Silvestre
Artist's lifetime: 1621–1691
Country: France
Biography: Israel Silvestre began his career in Paris, which became the European printmaking centre in the first half of the 17th century. The capital was situated at the intersection of artistic ideas from Italy and the Nordic countries, which undoubtedly influenced the young artist's work.
The engraver was the nephew of Israel Henriet, one of the leading publishers in France at the time, who worked with such graphic artists as Jacques Callot, Stefano della Bella, Jean Marot, and Francois Collignon. Jacques Callot's landscapes significantly impacted the formation of the young man's artistic taste. Supported by his uncle, Israel Silvestre travelled to Italy several times throughout his early career. He made numerous sketches during his travels and proved himself a talented draftsman. Then, he grew interested in the urban landscape reflected in the artist's drawings representing views of Italy's major cities, including Rome, Milan, Naples, Venice, and Pisa.
After returning to Paris, he focused on depicting the architecture of the city and France itself. As a graphic designer, the master executed hundreds of engravings, most representing royal residences, nobility palaces, luxurious parks, and notable historic buildings.

Object description

Although the "Vues de Paris" ("Views of Paris") series of engravings was formally attributed to Israel Silvestre, it was the result of a collaboration between several talented 17th-century printmakers, including Jean Marot, Stefano della Bella and Israel Silvestre himself. Collaboration between graphic artists was a common practice when a group of masters worked on a single series or even an individual piece. Israel Silvestre created the preparatory drawings and executed only a few etchings. The series was published on 12 sheets by Israel Henriet's publishing house. The engravings depict prominent Parisian buildings. The work represents a panoramic view of the Louvre's Old Gallery and its southern wing. Israel Silvestre depicted the palace from the side of the River Seine, where boats are sailing. In the background, a view of Paris and the bridge leading across the river unfolds. The author and printmaker of this engraving is Israel Silvestre.

Inscriptions

At the bottom right, there is the inscription: "Israel excudit". At the bottom left is a stamp with the inscription "ZBIORY RYCIN KONOPKOW".

Legal regulation

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery