The Dance of Death.

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of rank and genius, be placed below the painter ordesigner; and it is at the same time remarkable that thename of Holbein is not adverted to in any of the early andgenuine editions of the work, published at Lyons, or anyother place, whilst his designs for the Bible have there beenso pointedly noticed by his friend the poet Borbonius.

It would be of some importance, if it could be shownthat the engraver was dead in or before the year 1538, forthat circumstance would contribute to strengthen Mr.Ottley's opinion : but should it be found that he did. notdie in or before 1538, it would follow, of course, that thepainter was the person adverted to in the dedication, andwho consequently could not be Hqlbein. It becomesnecessary, therefore, to endeavour at least to discoversome other artist competent to the invention of thebeautiful designs in question; and whether the attemptbe successful or otherwise, it may, perhaps, be not alto-gether misplaced or unprofitable.

It must be recollected that Francis the First, on returningfrom his captivity at Pavia, imported with him a great manyItalian and other artists, among whom were Leonardo daVinci, Rosso, Primaticcio, &c. He is also known to havevisited Lyons, a royal city at that time eminent in art ofevery kind, and especially in those of printing and engravingon wood ; as the many beautiful volumes published at thatplace, and embellished with the most elegant decorationsin the graphic art, will at this moment sufficiently testify.In an edition of the "Nugse" of Nicolas Borbonius, thefriend of Holbein, printed at Lyons, 1538, 8vo. are thefollowing lines :

De Hanso Ulbio, et Georgio Reperdio, pictoribus.

Videre qui vult Parrhasium cum Zeuxide,

Accersat a Britanniatlansum Ulbium, et Georgium Reperdium.

Lugduno ab urbe Galliae.

In these verses Reperdius is opposed to Holbein for theexcellence of his art, in like manner as Parrhasius hadbeen considered as the rival of Zeuxis.

After such an eulogium it is greatly to be regretted that,notwithstanding a very diligent inquiry has been made

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