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View of the Louvre from the Courtyard

Israel Silvestre

Basic information

ID: Г-IV-1006
Author: Israel Silvestre
Name: View of the Louvre from the Courtyard
Date of creation: c.1650
Country: France
Technique: etching
Material: paper
Dimensions (height x width, cm): 13 x 24

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. This sheet was created by two graphic artists: Jean Marot, who recreated the structure, and Stefano della Bella, who executed the figures and the landscape.
On the engraving based on a drawing by Israel Silvestre, Jean Marot depicted the facade of the Clock Pavilion of the Royal Palace of the Louvre. At the time the sheet was created, the construction was still unfinished – we see the incomplete right wing designed by the architect Jacques Lemercier, which has already become overgrown with shrubs. Jean Marot meticulously executed all the ornamental decorations of the facade, whilst also introducing his own additions, replacing the window on the top floor of the pavilion passage with allegorical sculptures. Israel Silvestre, who skilfully captured the court life of the Louvre, created the small figures of people going about their daily activities in front of the building.Soldiers, elegant couples, playing children, men gambling in a circle, dogs chasing each other, and cats ready to fight – all are depicted here. The combination of these elements adds an exceptional vibrancy to the work, drawing the viewer's attention. Behind the unfinished wing, a panoramic view of the Parisian suburbs unfolds.

Inscriptions

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

Legal regulation

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery