The Travels of a Dutch Explorer and Painter
Born in The Hague, Netherlands , Cornelis de Bruijn was a Dutch artist, traveler, writer, and explorer. His life was defined by extensive journeys across diverse landscapes, including Rome, Egypt, and the Ottoman Empire. During his first tour, he visited Rome and became a member of the Bentvueghels , where he used the nickname Adonis . His explorations took him to the pyramids of Egypt, where he left his signature, and to Jerusalem, where he made secret drawings. His travels also led him to Cyprus, Smyrna, and Constantinople, followed by a period working in Venice with the painter Johann Carl Loth .
De Bruijn's observations were documented in several published works, including Reizen van Cornelis de Bruyn door de vermaardste Deelen van Klein Asia (1698). These publications featured drawings that became widely known in Europe, including some of the first color prints in history. His sketches provided the West with significant visual records, such as the interior of the Great Pyramid and the ruins of Persepolis.
Expeditions Through Russia and Persia
In 1701, De Bruijn embarked on a journey toward Arkhangelsk, eventually traveling through northern Russia to visit the Samoyeds. In Moscow, he became acquainted with emperor Peter the Great, even painting the emperor's nieces. His travels continued down the Moscow, Oka, and Volga rivers to Astrakhan, and eventually into Persia, where he drew towns like Isfahan and Persepolis. He also traveled to Java before returning to the Netherlands.
His later works included Reizen over Moskovie, door Persie en Indie (1711). His detailed drawings of Persepolis, a city famously known for its 40 columns, were highly regarded by scholars for a century. After facing accusations of plagiarism regarding his second book, he moved from Amsterdam to Vianen and eventually died in Utrecht .
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Oppdatert Oct. 15, 2026
