Catalog Archive
Auction 138, Lot 668

"Rhodus", Bruyn, Cornelius de

Subject: Rhodes, Greece

Period: 1698 (circa)

Publication: Reizen door de vermaardste Deelen van Klein Asia

Color: Hand Color

Size:
25 x 9 inches
63.5 x 22.9 cm
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A finely engraved view of the Greek island of Rhodes, depicting the Old Town with fortifications and windmills in the background. Numerous ships and boats sail the sea. Rhodes is famous for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

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.

References:

Condition: A

Issued folding, with wide margins and marginal soiling.

Estimate: $350 - $425

Sold for: $250

Closed on 12/7/2011

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