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View of the Louvre Art Gallery

Silvestre Israel

Basic information

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

Additionally

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

Information about author

Author: Silvestre Israel
Artist's lifetime: 1621–1691
Country: France
Biography: Silvestre Israel 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 Henriet Israel, 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, Silvestre Israel 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 series of engravings "Vues de Paris" ("The Views of Paris") was formally attributed to Silvestre Israel, it was a result of the collaboration between several talented 17th-century engravers, including Jean Marot, Stefano della Bella, and Silvestre Israel himself. Cooperation between graphic artists was common when a group of masters worked on one series or even a piece. Silvestre Israel was the author of the drawings and made only a few etchings. The series was published on 12 sheets in Henriet Israel's publishing house. The work represents a panoramic view of the Louvre's Old Gallery and its southern wing. Silvestre Israel depicted the palace from the side of the Seine River, where boats float. In the background is a view of Paris and the bridge leading across the river. The author and executor of the engraving is Silvestre Israel.

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