Gezicht op huize Vimy met op de voorgrond twee muzikanten 1631 - 1691

Israel Silvestre created this etching called 'View of the House Vimy with Two Musicians in the Foreground' sometime in the 17th century. Silvestre was a draughtsman, printmaker and topographer. In this etching, he depicts the French countryside, a place of leisure and beauty, yet the two musicians in the foreground strike a slightly different chord. Who were these musicians who roamed the countryside? Were they celebrated artists or itinerant workers who were making music for their supper? The clothes of the figures suggest that they were not wealthy, but the inclusion of their images in the foreground of a landscape suggests that they were essential to the overall scene. They were part of the fabric of the rural culture Silvestre represented in his work. Silvestre created topographical views of landscapes, which became increasingly popular during the 17th century as they gave people the opportunity to see the world through art. This piece reminds us to consider whose stories get told and how the narratives of everyday people can be woven into the broader historical record.