Title-plate for a volume containing 43 plates by Nicholas Lanier I (1568-1646) or II (1588-1666) and Lucas Vorsterman I (1595-1675) or II (1624-c.1667), after drawings of masks by Giulio Romano in Lanier's collection.These impressions were probably printed in the early 19th century, and then bound in the volume, titled 'Lanier's Drawing Book 1656'. This plate, by Lanier (I or II), shows the head of a bearded man, in profile to the left. Probably 1636.

Title-plate on wove paper with the head of a bearded man in profile to the left. Etching, signed 'L'.

The title-plate for the volume containing 43 plates by Nicholas Lanier I or II, and Lucas Vorsterman I or II, is signed 'L.' According to entries in the note books of George Vertue, English writer, engraver and antiquary (1684-1756), there were two etchers called Nicholas Lanier, but they are only to be distinguished by different death dates. He notes that Lanier (which could refer to I or II) signed his work 'L'.

The date on the title-plate (E.381-1964) is equivocal. The third number lacks a stroke on top, and, at first glance is read as 3, but, as there is more space for a stroke to the right of the number, it might be read as 5. When the volume was acquired by the Library in 1872 the date 1665 was embossed on the spine of the new Library binding. In addition to this confusion most authorities have read ‘sessanta otto’ as ‘settanta otto’. If the artist was the elder Nicholas Lanier who died in 1646, then he was indeed 68 in 1636; however, if the date on the title-page is 1656 and the artist as then 68, his date of birth would have been 1588, corresponding to that of the younger Nicholas Lanier, court musician, painter and collector.

E.381-1964