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View of Chilly Palace

Silvestre Israel

  • View of Chilly Palace 2
Basic information
ID
Г-IV-1013
Author
Silvestre Israel
Name
View of Chilly Palace
Date of creation
c.1650–1655
Country
France
Technique
etching
Material
paper
Dimensions (height x width, cm)
12.3 x 23.3
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
The engraving belongs to a series of 20 sheets depicting views of Paris' palaces, parks, and surrounding areas. A series was executed by a group of authors, including Silvestre Israel, Stefano della Bella, Jean Marot, and Nicolas Perelle. It represents the palace in Chilly from the side of the park.
Near the palace building, depicted in the centre of the composition, the nobles have gathered, and peasants are doing their daily chores on the left. In the foreground, a peasant sat on the ground next to the tree. Groups of well-dressed men engaged in conversations stand a little further.
 
Inscriptions
At the bottom left, there is a stamp with the inscription: "ZBIORY RYCIN KONOPKOW"
Legal regulation
Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery

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