Attributed to Israel Silvestre the Younger Nancy 1621 - 1691 Paris

Rotterdam, Kunsthal, European Master Drawings Unveiled, 2002, p. 239, cat. no. 108, reproduced

Framed. There are some very pale foxmarks, but these are only really visible in the upper part of the drawing, where the chalk is less dense, and are not particularly noticeable. Otherwise the sheet is in good condition, and the chalk is still strong.
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The drawings of Israel Silvestre are usually executed in pen and ink, in a manner strongly reminiscent of Jacques Callot, but a few black chalk drawings by the artist are known, including a view of the fountain at Fontainebleau, formerly in the Woodner collection, which was engraved by Gabriel Perelle.¹ The present drawing, which shares almost the exactly the same dimensions as the Fontainebleau view, is rather looser in execution, but is still close enough in overall conception to the works of Silvestre to suggest that that the traditional attribution should not be rejected. Silvestre travelled to Italy on various occasions between 1640 and 1653, and made numerous drawings and prints of Italian views such as this.  

1. Sold, London, Christie's, 2 July 1991, lot 147