Catalog Archive
Auction 136, Lot 600

"Scio", Bruyn, Cornelius de

Subject: Chios, Greece

Period: 1698 (circa)

Publication: Reizen van Cornelis de Bruyn, door de Vermaardtse Deelen van Klein Asie…

Color: Hand Color

Size:
50 x 11.5 inches
127 x 29.2 cm
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Superb panoramic view of Chios viewed across the city to the Turkish mainland in the background. Cornelius van Bruyn (1652-1726) was a painter 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. Printed on two joined sheets as issued.

References:

Condition: A+

A very fine example with some minor expert repairs on folds.

Estimate: $275 - $350

Sold for: $325

Closed on 6/1/2011

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