Valentinus Taken Prisoner 1600 - 1613

Otto van Veen painted “Valentinus Taken Prisoner”, an oil on panel work, sometime between 1576 and 1629. Van Veen, as court painter for the Spanish governors in Brussels, lived and worked in a society undergoing profound religious and political upheaval, a historical context which deeply informed his artistic choices. Here, he represents a scene of violence, capturing the tumult of battle with a mass of figures locked in combat. Consider the story of Valentinus, whose capture may symbolize the suppression of religious or political dissent during that era. The emotional intensity of the scene draws us in, making us feel the chaotic and brutal reality of conflict. Van Veen does not shy away from depicting the raw physicality of the battle. The painting reminds us of how intertwined personal stories are with broader conflicts, reflecting the emotional toll of living in times of unrest.