Etching included in 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 by Parmigianino, Giulio Romano and others. 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) (see Attributions Note), depicts the Virgin and Child.

Etching on wove paper titled 'The Virgin and Child, signed 'L.', lettered 'P:no d.'.

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.388-1964