The first known engraving of the church of Vétheuil was made in 1654 by Israël SILVESTRE.
Its author was honored with the prestigious titles of Ordinary Draughtsman of King Louis XIV, Drawing Master of the Dauphin and of the pages of the Great and Small Stables and Advisor to the King in his Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture. This last title was given to him on the recommendation of Charles LE BRUN, the king's first painter and Director of the Academy.
A prestigious destiny for a man whose talent for drawing was evident from a very early age. Indeed, born in 1621 in Nancy, he showed great artistic talent from an early age. Having lost his parents at a very early age, he was taken in by an uncle living in Paris who taught him the techniques of drawing and intaglio (the process of engraving).
As was common at the time, he traveled to Italy where he perfected his art with the great masters while making numerous drawings. He continued his travels in France and on his return to Paris was able to execute a large quantity of engravings of great quality.
At the age of 41, he was appointed engraver to King Louis XIV before being accepted by the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture.
At his death in 1691, he left more than 1000 engravings and numerous drawings, including the engraving of the church of Vétheuil. Most of his works are in the Louvre Museum. The engraving of Vétheuil is in the Musée Condé in Chantilly.
Some examples:
The engraving of Vétheuil is an important historical contribution: the representation of the west portal of the church shows all the sculptures on their pedestal, these sculptures having been totally destroyed during the French revolution. Unfortunately, their representation suffers from a lack of precision.
You will learn more about Israel SILVESTRE, his work and his descendants by clicking here
