Julius Civilis Having his Hair Cut after the Fall of Vetera, while his Son Kills Some of the Captives 1600 - 1613

Otto van Veen painted this oil on panel depicting Julius Civilis in the early 17th century. Van Veen’s painting depicts a scene of violence and subjugation. Julius Civilis, leader of the Batavian rebellion against the Roman Empire, is shown having his hair cut, a symbol of defeat, while his son exacts brutal revenge on captives. Painted in the Netherlands, this work evokes the Dutch struggle for independence from Spain, casting Civilis as a heroic figure of resistance. Yet it also reveals the complexities of national identity and the troubling relationship between freedom and violence. The painting, commissioned for the Dutch States General, aimed to legitimise Dutch revolt against a foreign power. To understand this painting fully, one would need to explore historical texts, political pamphlets, and artistic treatises from the period. By examining the social and institutional contexts in which art is produced, we can better grasp its multifaceted meanings and lasting significance.