Felicitas Killed with Her 7 Sons, Rome, AD 104 1684

Jan Luyken created this etching, “Felicitas Killed with Her 7 Sons, Rome, AD 104” sometime between his birth in 1649 and his death in 1712. Luyken lived during the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by both economic prosperity and intense religious conflict following the Reformation. This detailed print depicts the execution of Saint Felicitas and her seven sons, a story of unwavering faith in the face of Roman persecution. The figures are caught in moments of torture. The stark contrast between light and shadow heightens the emotional intensity, inviting us to reflect on the themes of religious conviction, martyrdom, and resistance against oppressive power. Luyken's choice to depict this scene speaks to the period's fascination with religious martyrdom and the struggle for spiritual freedom. It also raises complex questions about how we represent violence, belief, and the power dynamics between the persecuted and the persecutors.