"Stanchio [on sheet with] Rhodus", Bruyn, Cornelius de

This sheet includes two finely engraved views of the Greek islands of Rhodes and Kos with fortified cities and ships sailing the surrounding waters. The lower view depicts the Old Town of Rhodes with fortifications beside a row of windmills.

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. His works are particularly historically valuable because of their accuracy.

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Condition: B+

A dark impression with light offsetting and minor toning on a sheet with a large fleur-de-lis coat of arms watermark.