EARLIEST REALISTIC depiction of BETHLEHEM with the CHURCH OF NATIVITY . Published in the RARE FIRST EDITION of " Reizen van Cornelis de Bruyn...".. Dated: Delft, 1698. Drawn accurately from nature by the famous Dutch traveler and topographer Cornelis de Bruyn (1652-1726) during his voyage to the Holy Land and Levant. Depicted is a realistic view towards the town of Bethlehem (letter "L" on the drawing) in the Holy Land, with the compound of the "Church of the Nativity" at the left background (indicated by letter "I"). Due to its truthful accuracy this drawing serves as a visual historical document of the site. "The Church of the Nativity" was initially built in Byzantine times over the cave venerated as the birthplace of Jesus according to Christian tradition. The Church is an important place of pilgrimage for Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox and Armenian Christians. Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is transmitted from here by television world-wide. Scarce large paper edition with exceptional large margins. Size of the whole sheet: 49cm x 39. Original 3 folds, (two of them rather flat) Excellent condition! Strong and fresh paper quality, clear imprint of the etching. The etching will be went only folded once. (shipping via registered airmail, to Italy we ship with EMS airmail courier)