Johann van Oldenbarneveldt (1547-1619) after an anonymous Dutch miniature 1600. Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (September 14, 1547, Amersfoort - May 13, 1619, The Hague) was a Dutch statesman, who played an important role in the Dutch struggle for independence from Spain. Van Oldenbarnevelt studied law at Leuven, Bourges, Heidelberg and Padua, and travelled in France and Italy before settling in The Hague. He was a moderate Calvinist, so he supported William the Silent in his revolt against Spain, and fought in William's army. 固opFoto