Cornelis 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. The group includes views of villages, the people, architecture and numerous ruins in the region. Engraving sizes vary; sheets measures 8.3 x 13.2".

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Condition: B+

Some mild toning and a few pots or holes in margins. One sheet with some mildew damage.