Josse van der Baren

Josse van der Baren (variations on the first name: 'Joost' and 'Jodocus') (b. between 1540 and 1560 – d. between 1604 and 1624) was a Flemish painter of history paintings and a draughtsman active in the Leuven area around the turn of the 17th century.

[2] Van der Baren was an active participant in Leuven's rhetorician circles, which were responsible for the production of theatre performances.

Josse van der Baren was a friend of Justus Lipsius (1547-1606), the eminent philologist and humanist who resided and taught in Leuven.

At the time, many Flemish artists such as Michiel Coxie and Frans Floris painted in an Italianizing style and van der Baren's work was clearly influenced by this movement.

[5][6] The Martyrdom of Saint Dorothea was commissioned by the local chamber of rhetoric De Roos for its chapel in the St. Peter's Church in Leuven.

Justus Lipsius wished to convince Charles III de Croÿ to move his library to Heverlee and establish a humanist academy.