Israel Silvestre - Garden Fence

The subject of this print may be connected to the genre of Vedutismo. Vedutismo originated in the 18th century and developed primarily in Venice. Vedutismo painters aimed to represent a landscape objectively and scientifically, placing it as the protagonist of the work. There are essentially two types of vedute: the realistic one, taken exactly from reality, and the "capriccio," a fanciful view invented by the painter. Vedutismo is a genre that continues to enjoy popularity in artistic production, revived by artists in new forms and new interpretations. It has also become particularly popular in printmaking, where depictions of city views or other buildings abound, emphasizing the architectural element within a rigorous perspective.

The work fully lives up to its high illustrative and didactic commitment to capturing the architectural view in every minute detail. The technique, in fact, is extraordinary, with its rigorous perspective approach, capturing every architectural detail with miniaturist refinement. The direction of light, which cuts through the space in evocative flashes, is also beautiful. The true peculiarity of these prints is that, upon closer inspection, we discover that the perfection of the buildings and streets is actually constructed by dense hatching, making the objects come alive and vibrant.

The print was based on an engraving by Israel Silvestre (Nancy 1621-Paris 1691). A member of a prominent family of engravers, he learned the rudiments in his father's workshop. Orphaned, he moved to Paris with his uncle Israel Henriet, whose workshop he inherited upon his death. In 1659, he obtained the privilege of printing his own engravings. Israel Silvestre left behind many drawings and over a thousand engravings. He specialized primarily in topographical views.

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