Valoma

See Oak, vol. xii., p. 558.

Vampire

Vampire, a fabulous creature of popular belief, especially in Greece, Hungary, Moravia, Silesia, Poland, and Russia. The ghouls of the Persians and Arabians, subjects of a like credulity, seem closely related to the fabled vampire, and may have suggested it. Vampires were described -as persons who for a considerable time after death leave their tombs to disturb the living, usually their young relatives, sucking their blood, appearing to them, making strange noises, and often causing death. The fatal epidemics prevalent in the 17th and 18th centuries, and the sudden deaths or languor and exhaustion which marked their severity, fostered this superstition. Many bodies disinterred, being found undecayed and with liquid blood and fresh complexion, were for these reasons deemed undoubted vampires; and to prevent their fatal activities sharpened stakes were driven through them and their hearts and heads were severed and burned.

Van Belmont

See Helmont.

Van Der Goes

See Goes.

Van Der Hoeven

See Hoeven.

Van Der Meer

I. Jan, The Elder

The Elder Jan, a Dutch painter, born about 1625, died about 1685. He studied in Utrecht and Rome, and became dean of the painters in Amsterdam. He painted the portrait of the prince of Orange, who appointed him comptroller of canal tolls. He excelled in landscapes, sea pieces, and battles, and was distinguished by a brilliancy of coloring not unlike that of Claude Lorraine.

II. Jan, The Younger

The Younger Jan, son of the preceding, born in Haarlem about 1660, died there about 1704. He was a successful follower of Berghem. His works are seldom to be met with out of Holland. The best is a "View of the Rhine".

Van Der Meulen

See Meulen.

Van Diemen's Land

See Tasmania.

Van Eyck

See Eyck.

Van Lemep

See Lennep.

Van Oost

I. Jacob, The Elder

The Elder Jacob, a Flemish painter, born in Bruges about 1600, died there in 1671. He studied in Italy, and became an imitator of Annibale Carracci. He executed for the churches of Bruges an immense number of pictures, prominent among which is his " Descent from the Cross" in the church of the Jesuits.

II. Jacob, The Younger

The Younger Jacob, son of the preceding, born in Bruges in 1637, died there, Dec. 29, 1713. He was educated in Italy, and settled in Lisle. He became known as a historical painter, and excelled in portraits.

Van Swieten

See Swieten.

Van Veen, Or Venins, Otho

Van Veen, Or Venins, Otho, a Flemish painter, born in Leyden about 1550, died in Brussels about 1630. He studied painting in Italy, entered the service of Alessandro Farnese, governor of the Netherlands, at Brussels, and for some years conducted an academy at Antwerp, in which Rubens received his first instruction. His chief works are in the churches of Antwerp and Brussels. He published a "History of the "War of the Batavians " from Tacitus, illustrated from his own designs.