Leo Belgicus.

DOETECUM, Johan van

Published by C. J. Visscher,, [Amsterdam],, 1650

About this Item

The Separation of the Low Countries Hand-coloured separately issued engraved map, some loss to borders skilfully repaired. Rare separately issued map of Holland in the shape of a lion.The map was first published by Johan van Doetecum in 1598. We know the plate was still in van Doetecum's possession in 1626, as an inventory was made of his stock after the death of his wife Magdalena. The plate then passed into the hands of Henricus Hondius when, in 1630, van Doetecum's stock was auctioned off following his death. Hondius made some minor changes and reissued the plate in 1630. The plate was then acquired by Claes Janzsoon Visscher in 1650.For the new edition Visscher has added to the upper left-hand corner portraits of Archduke Ferdinand (governor 1634-1641) and Prince Frederick Hendrik of Orange (stadholder 1625-1647). To accommodate the new portraits the lions tail has been shortened, and the title moved, with new configuation of text and images to the sea. There has been a slight amendment to the Dutch and French text to the lower left and right. Doetechum's imprint has been amended, Hondius' erased and Visscher's added below the legs of the lion. The lion itself stands upon a hatched base, with the text below the portraits of Prince Maurice and Archduke Albert having been altered.With its explicit distinction between the governors of the northern and the southern provinces, and with the two pictures of the Court of Holland and one of the Court of Brussels, and by using the term ?Äòutrinque Belgium' ('the two Belgiums'), this is the first general map of the Netherlands to emphasize the separation of the northern and souhthern parts of the country. 430 by 550mm (17 by 21.75 inches). van der Heijden 3.3.; Schilder, Monumenta, vol.1, p. 31 (note 95), and p. 37. Seller Inventory # 2859

Bibliographic Details

Title: Leo Belgicus.

Publisher: C. J. Visscher,, [Amsterdam],

Publication Date: 1650