Burning of Barnabas at Salamanca, Cyprus, AD 64 1685

Jan Luyken created this etching titled *Burning of Barnabas at Salamanca, Cyprus, AD 64*, in the latter half of the 17th century. Luyken was a Dutch Golden Age painter, engraver, and poet. He is known for his historical allegories and illustrations of religious texts. Here, Luyken depicts the martyrdom of Barnabas, who, according to Christian tradition, was stoned to death and then burned for his religious beliefs. This image reflects a time of religious conflict, which saw the Protestant Reformation and the Counter-Reformation. Luyken’s choice to represent this specific event suggests an alignment with the Protestant narrative of persecution by opposing religious factions. In the print, we witness the violence inflicted upon Barnabas. The image is charged with emotional and political weight, speaking to the dangers of religious intolerance and the cost of standing up for one's beliefs. The image is a testament to the power of faith in the face of persecution.