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View of Cardinal Montalto's Park

Israel Silvestre

  • View of Cardinal Montalto's Park 2
Basic information
ID
Г-IV-1012
Author
Israel Silvestre
Name
View of Cardinal Montalto's Park
Date of creation
c.1650–1655
Country
France
Technique
etching
Material
paper
Dimensions (height x width, cm)
11.7 x 23
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
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 inner park of Cardinal Montalto-Peretti's villa. The main avenue, flanked on both sides by rows of black poplars, is shown in the centre. The villa's main building with its entrance rises in the background. Two additional avenues on the right and left lead to the fountains located on either side of the structure. The coat of arms of the town of Montalto – a shield topped with a crown – is depicted at the bottom centre.
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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