Artwork
Veue du Luxembourg
Veue du Luxembourg is an ink print by the Baroque artist Israël Silvestre. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
On the left is a big garden with trees and a fence, while on the right stands a tall, fancy building with lots of windows.
This black-and-white drawing shows a long, quiet street lined with people walking. On the left is a big garden with trees and a fence, while on the right stands a tall, fancy building with lots of windows. A few people chat in small groups, and one dog sits near a seated figure. The scene looks calm, almost like a snapshot of daily life.
The title at the bottom says it’s a view of the Luxembourg Palace, drawn in 1655. The artist used a technique that lets fine lines and shading stand out clearly.
Look up etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints from scratch.
Overview
Veue du Luxembourg is an etching created by Israel Silvestre in 1655. It is a print depicting a scene in Paris.
Subject & Meaning
The etching shows a tranquil view of the Luxembourg Palace, with a garden on one side and the palace facade on the other. Figures are scattered throughout the scene, engaged in everyday activities, conveying a sense of calm daily life.
Technique & Style
Silvestre employed etching techniques to achieve fine lines and nuanced shading, resulting in a detailed representation of the scene. The use of black and white emphasizes the clarity of the topographical view.
History & Provenance
Israel Silvestre, born in 1621 in Nancy, was a French draftsman and etcher. Raised by his uncle, also an etcher, Silvestre became a prominent print dealer in Paris, producing and selling individual and series prints of architectural and landscape subjects.
Artist & collection
Artist
Israel Silvestre (13 August 1621 in Nancy – 11 October 1691 in Paris), called the Younger to distinguish him from his father, was a prolific French draftsman, etcher and print dealer who specialized in topographical views and perspectives…
Castle under Siege
Vuë de l'Eglise sainct Pierre, et du Chasteau Sainct Ange
Palais de la Reyne Catherine de Medicis
Veue de Berny a deux lieues de Paris sur le chemin d'Orléans
L'Eglise Saincte Sophie de Constantinople, bastie par Constantin le Grand; a present Mosquée du Grand seigneur
Campo Vacina
Veuë d'une partie de la place Navonne a Rome
Veue de l'Eglise nostre Dame de Rouen
Vue de l'Etang de Fontainebleau
Vue du Bassin de Latone Prise du Bord de la Terrasse du Chateau
The Chateau of Saint Ouen
Chateau Bellevue
Veue de la cour des Fontaines de Fontaine Beleau
Chateau and Garden of Seaux
Vue du palais et des jardins des Tuileries, du côté du cours la Reine
L'Hostel de Vandosme a Paris
Vue du palais et des jardins des Tuileries, du côté du quai
Veue des bons hommes