A very finely engraved early view of York. The title is held aloft by a winged cherub. York Minster is in the background. Israel Silvestre was born in Nancy, France, in 1621. Under the tuition of his uncle he developed a remarkable talent as an engraver. In 1661 on the death of his uncle he became the sole heir. His output was prodigious although much of it relates to France and Italy, countries in which he travelled extensively. Benezit.