Jan Baptist van Baëza 1630 - 1677

Adriaen Lommelin’s “Jan Baptist van Baëza” is a 17th-century etching depicting a religious figure, Jan Baptist van Baëza, lying down in a rocky and mountainous landscape. The etching, housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a poignant representation of van Baëza’s death by starvation in 1626. The details of the engraving, such as the cross and the open book, allude to van Baëza's religious devotion and his suffering. The etched lines create a sense of depth and texture, highlighting the starkness of van Baëza's environment and his final moments. This work serves as a visual testament to a historical figure and the circumstances of his death, offering a glimpse into the hardship of the 17th century.