Kaart van de Nederlanden in de vorm van de Hollandse Leeuw, 1598 1598

Curator: This print, made in 1598 by Joannes van Doetechum, presents a map of the Netherlands configured as a lion. It’s titled “Kaart van de Nederlanden in de vorm van de Hollandse Leeuw.” Editor: My goodness, it's striking! The whole map, contorted into the shape of a fierce lion... there's a strange beauty in its defiance, isn’t there? Curator: Indeed. This representation, known as Leo Belgicus, or the Belgian Lion, emerged during the Eighty Years’ War. The lion becomes a symbol of Dutch resistance against Spanish rule, embodying strength and sovereignty. The choice of the lion is significant; it links back to heraldic traditions but also forwards the burgeoning Dutch national identity. Editor: So, the map *is* the message, in a way? And the message is “Don’t tread on me!” You know, seeing it this way… gives it a whole different bite. It’s more than just geography; it’s a statement. All those meticulously drawn cities and rivers within the lion’s outline become part of a larger declaration. Curator: Precisely. Think about how this image circulates—as a print—reproducing and disseminating a powerful political message. It fosters a collective sense of self among the Dutch populace during a tumultuous period of political upheaval, and even the portraits of political and military leaders surrounding the central map reinforce that collective identity. Editor: It’s cleverly subversive, really. Geography lessons disguised as nationalistic propaganda. The little ships sailing off the coast look deceptively peaceful… It's fierce, not only in its concept, but in the obsessive details. To imagine someone meticulously etching all those tiny settlements into the fur of a lion! Curator: The artist employs the engraver's skill to transform the map into an assertive, patriotic declaration, embedding cultural and political narratives deeply within cartography. It makes you wonder about the degree to which representations of geographic locations and political bodies still shape ideas today. Editor: Right? It all makes me think about power, and stories, and how we choose to tell them – or draw them, in this case. Curator: It presents a unique view on history and artistic expression that links early mapping to questions around nationalism and representation, offering layered points for further study. Editor: Totally! I'll never look at another map the same way again.