Eulalia Suffocated and Burned, Villa Nova, Portugal, AD 302 1685

Jan Luyken created this etching, "Eulalia Suffocated and Burned, Villa Nova, Portugal, AD 302," to depict the martyrdom of Eulalia of Mérida. Luyken lived during the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by both immense artistic achievement and intense religious conflict. Eulalia, a young Christian girl, was persecuted for her faith during the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian. Refusing to renounce her beliefs, she was brutally tortured and killed. Luyken’s detailed rendering captures the emotional intensity of the scene. The executioners, depicted with grotesque features, force Eulalia onto a burning pyre. Her face, though small, conveys defiance. This image speaks to the historical struggles faced by those who defied religious persecution and societal norms. Luyken’s work invites us to reflect on the cost of religious freedom and the courage of individuals like Eulalia, who stood firm in their convictions despite facing unimaginable suffering.