|The most famous of all cartographic curiosities is the 'Leo Belgicus',
in which the Seventeen Provinces of the low Countries were depicted in
the form of a lion. This type was first introduced by Michael Eitzinger
(Aitzinger or van Aitzing) in 1583. The idea may have suggested to
him by the presence of a lion in the arms of most of the Seventeen Provinces.
Whatever his inspiration, the genre proved very popular, and a number of
later publishers produced their own versions, some even introducing their
One such group was the 'Leo Hollandicus', where the Seven United Provinces
were depicted as a lion. Claes Jansz. Visscher was the first to publish
such a map, as shown here.
Since Aitzinger had published his prototype, the political situation
had altered considerably. The Provinces has risen in revolt against the
Spanish, who succeeded in subduing the southern provinces, but not the
seven northern provinces. The Revolt was suspended during the Twelve Years
Peace (1609-1621), before resuming, and continuing to 1648, when the Dutch
Republic established its independence.
Visscher seems to have first published the map before 1625, the year
in which the dedicatee Prince Maurice died. A second example was
published dated 1633, while the third state was published in 1648, when
the Spanish confirmed Dutch independence.