Leo Belgicus - antique map of the Netherlands by P. Kaerius 1617
Leo Belgicus
Item Number: 13685 Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > Europe > The Low Countries
Antique map - Leo Belgicus by Petrus Kaerius (Van den Keere).
Engraved by Hendrik Floris van Langren. Second state (only 2 copies known of the first state). In the reverse text Kaerius acknowledges the adaptation of the lion from Von Aitzing: "typographicam Leonis Belgici primus in lucem edidit D. Michael Aitsingerius Austriacus" ("This representation of the Leo Belgicus was first published by the Austrian Michael von Aitzing").
The Netherlands, depicted in the form of 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 he therefore decided - partly because of the religious conflicts in the war against Spain - to introduce the Netherlands in the shape of a lion.
Copper engraving
Size: 37.5 x 45.5cm (14.5 x 17.6 inches)
Verso text: Latin
Condition: Old coloured, excellent.
Condition Rating: A
References: Van der Krogt 3, 3000:364B; van der Heijden, 4.2 a.
From: Petri Kaerii Germania Inferior id est, XVII provinciarum ejus novae et exactae Tabulae Geographicae, cum Luculentis Singularum descriptionibus additis. À Petro Montano. Amsterdam, 1617. (Koeman, Kee1; Van der Krogt 3, 64:01)