"Bethlehem", Bruyn, Cornelius de

Cornelius de Bruyn (1652-1726) was a Dutch artist who traveled through the Holy Land and other portions of Asia. De Bruyn had to disguise his activities because this was a repressive period during the Ottoman rule when foreigners were regarded with suspicion and the making of "graven images" was prohibited. De Bruyn avoided detection by pretending to be picnicking with two Franciscan monks who stood guard while he made his drawings. This lovely view of Bethlehem shows the small village; a shepherd with his flock and travelers on the road are in the foreground. His works are particularly historically valuable because of their accuracy.

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Condition: B

Issued folding, now pressed, with marginal soiling and a fold separation that enters map image 1/2" at bottom left. There is a long tear that enters map at bottom right that has been professionally repaired.