Leo Belgicus - The Netherlands as a lion, by Famiano Strada 1648
The Netherlands, depicted as a lion, originated with the Austrian Michael von Aitzing (c. 1530-98), who inserted in his book De Leone Belgico (1583) a Leo Belgicus map engraved by Frans Hogenberg. In the preface of this work, von Aitzing explains why he chose this particular title and inserted the lion map. He explains that Caesar mentioned in his "Commentaries" that the 'Belgae' were the strongest tribes, and that he therefore decided - partly because of the religious conflicts in the war against Spain - to introduce the Netherlands in the shape of a lion.
Famiano Strada (Rome, 1572 – 1649)
Famiano Strada was a Jesuit priest who taught at the Collegio Romana of the Jesuits in Rome.
The most famous work by Famiano Strada is De Bello Belgico decades duae, 1555-1590. The book described the first period of the Eighty Years' War and was written with Alexander Farnese's help (1545-1592), around 1602. It provides a pro-Spanish and pro-Catholic account of the Dutch War of Independence. The first part, Decas Prima, was published in 1632 and the second part, Decas Secunda, in 1647.
Eight different copperplates of the Leo Belgicus were engraved in different sizes for Strada's book, all of them representing the lion rampant and facing right. The lion map served as an engraved frontispiece for both the first and the second decades. Editions in Italian, Dutch, French, Spanish and Polish language followed, but only the Latin and Dutch editions have de lion maps.
De Bello Belgico Decas Prima Famiani Stradae Rom. Soc. Iesu.
Item Number: 32609 new Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > Europe > The Netherlands
Leo Belgicus - The Netherlands as a lion, by Famiano Strada.
Title: De Bello Belgico Decas Prima Famiani Stradae Rom. Soc. Iesu.
Antverpiae apud Vidvam et Haeredes Ioan. Cnobbari. 1648.
Cum privilegiis.
Date of the first edition: 1648.
Date of this map: 1648.
Date on map: 1648.
Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Image size: 160 x 95mm (6¼ x 3¾ inches).
Frame size: 350 x 280mm (13¾ x 11 inches).
Verso: Blank.
Condition: Excellent, framed.
Condition Rating: A+
From: Famiani Stradae Romani E Societate Iesu De Bello Belgico Decas Prima (...) Antwerp, J. Cnobbaert, 1648.
The Netherlands, depicted as a lion, originated with the Austrian Michael von Aitzing (c. 1530-98), who inserted in his book De Leone Belgico (1583) a Leo Belgicus map engraved by Frans Hogenberg. In the preface of this work, von Aitzing explains why he chose this particular title and inserted the lion map. He explains that Caesar mentioned in his "Commentaries" that the 'Belgae' were the strongest tribes, and that he therefore decided - partly because of the religious conflicts in the war against Spain - to introduce the Netherlands in the shape of a lion.
Famiano Strada (Rome, 1572 – 1649)
Famiano Strada was a Jesuit priest who taught at the Collegio Romana of the Jesuits in Rome.
The most famous work by Famiano Strada is De Bello Belgico decades duae, 1555-1590. The book described the first period of the Eighty Years' War and was written with Alexander Farnese's help (1545-1592), around 1602. It provides a pro-Spanish and pro-Catholic account of the Dutch War of Independence. The first part, Decas Prima, was published in 1632 and the second part, Decas Secunda, in 1647.
Eight different copperplates of the Leo Belgicus were engraved in different sizes for Strada's book, all of them representing the lion rampant and facing right. The lion map served as an engraved frontispiece for both the first and the second decades. Editions in Italian, Dutch, French, Spanish and Polish language followed, but only the Latin and Dutch editions have de lion maps.
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