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View of Cardinal Ludovisi's Palace and Park in Rome

Israel Silvestre

  • View of Cardinal Ludovisi's Palace and Park in Rome
Basic information
ID
Г-IV-1010
Author
Israel Silvestre
Name
View of Cardinal Ludovisi's Palace and Park in Rome
Date of creation
c.1650–1655
Country
France
Technique
etching
Material
paper
Dimensions
13.5 x 23.8 cm (height x width)
Additionally
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
During his travels to Italy, Israel Silvestre created numerous sketches of villas, palaces and ancient ruins, which he later used as a basis for his engravings. The etching is part of the "Vues de Rome et des environs" ("Views of Rome and Surroundings") series, which consists of nine sheets. It depicts the Villa Ludovisi in Rome, viewed from the park side. Rows of vases and statues flank the building on both sides. In the background, a park with predominantly black poplars is depicted. While the title page attributes the authorship and execution of the series to Israel Silvestre, several plates, including this etching, were actually produced by François Collignon based on Israel Silvestre's drawings.
Inscriptions
At the bottom right, there is the inscription: "Israel excud. cum privil. Regis". At the bottom left is a stamp with the inscription "ZBIORY RYCIN KONOPKOW".
Legal regulation
Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery
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