Le Lion Belgique des Pais Bas contenant les XVII Provinces.

The rare third state, of six, ofthis scarce Leo Belgicus map, of which Van der Heijden only lists 2 other examples. With the publisher's name "Lagnet" in lower left corner of the Leo map.
At the bottom the coat of arms of France; to the right those of the German Empire, in the middle those of England, Scotland and Ireland.
The map of the lion has been printed on one sheet, with in this third state, along the left side the equestrian figures of Louis XIV, his brother and his son.
The text underneath emphasizes the military ambitions of Louis XIV. Since in this text the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle of May 1668 is mentioned - the first break in the so called Devolution War of France against the Spanish Netherlands - the map must have been issued after this date, though before 1672, the year in which the fourth state was published.

The sixth state was issued by another publisher, Gerard Jollain. He erased the name of his predecessor Lagnet.

Among the greatest decorative works of early cartography is a series of arresting maps showing The Netherlands and Belgium in the shape of a lion. The various versions of these so-called Leo Belgicus maps are all rare, only a few examples surviving and in some cases only a solitary specimen has been located.

The use of the shape of a lion in the depiction of the two countries arose in part from the fact that their actual shape is vaguely leonine. This commanding image was an apt symbol for a nation on the verge of unprecedented wealth and power.
Secondly, the lion had long figured in the national iconography of the area: most of the coats-of-arms of the 17 provinces of the countries feature a lion.
Also, the map was a statement of unity, since at the time the 17 provinces comprised a single nation, although under the yoke of Spanish domination.

A very limited number of examples were published outside and this Leo Belgicus is the most famous and most decorative French edition.

The engraver of the map was Valentin Le Febure (1642-1700).
The Leo Belgicus is modeled after the original engraving by Franz Hogenberg / Aitzinger.

Reference: Van der Heijden, Leo Belgicus 21.3 (Recording only 2 examples of this 3rd state) Tooley, N°.44, plate XIX.