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View of Chilly Palace

Israel Silvestre

Basic information

ID: Г-IV-1013
Author: Israel Silvestre
Name: View of Chilly Palace
Date of creation: c.1650–1655
Country: France
Technique: etching
Material: paper
Dimensions: 12.3 x 23.3 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

The engraving belongs to a series of 20 sheets depicting views of palaces and parks in Paris and its surroundings. The series was executed by a collaborative group of printmakers, including Israel Silvestre, Stefano della Bella, Jean Marot and Nicolas Perelle. It represents the palace in Chilly, viewed from the park side. In the centre of the composition is the palace building, around which nobles have gathered, while peasants go about their daily activities on the left. In the foreground, next to a tree, a peasant sits on the ground. A little further away, groups of well-dressed men stand engaged in conversation.

Inscriptions

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

Legal regulation

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery

View of Chilly Palace

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