Fkazek — On a Copy, probably unique, of the Life of the Virgin. 381 



proof of the fact will perhaps he impossible to obtain ; this I know, 

 that several hooks once belonging to Pirkheinier's library were on sale 

 in London at the same time that I obtained the present copy, some of 

 which attracted attention from having within them his book-plate, 

 itself a work designed by Durer, and much prized by collectors. 



The estimation in which Durer held Pirkheimer throughout his life 

 is well ascertained. He wrote intimate letters to him when at Venice 

 in 1506; he terms him, "My good Lord, the Honorable and Wise 

 "Wilbolt Pirkheimer, Burger of INurnberg." He engraved his portrait 

 in 1524 — a head full of character and expression ; and in the work on 

 Geometry which Durer published in 1525 at Nurnberg, there is this 

 dedication, " To my clearly beloved Master and Friend, Wilibalden 

 Pirkheimer." There is also in Windsor a painting of the same friend, 

 which is described by Heller ; and in another large painting, in Vienna, 

 an altar-piece, the portraits of both Durer and Pirkheimer are said to 

 be introduced, standing under a tree. JNow in examining the woodcuts 

 of this " Life of the Virgin," I think we can without difficulty recog- 

 nise the portrait of Pirkheimer introduced more than once amongst the 

 figures which animate the plates ; and I believe those who will compare 

 his well-known portrait, as engraved, by Durer, with the corresponding 

 face on the woodcuts, will arrive at a similar conclusion to that now 

 stated, and be satisfied they represent the same individual. 



I obtained the present work in 1876 in London. Its coverings 

 had been removed and destroyed, but it was sewn like a pamphlet, 

 and as fresh as if it had only left the publisher's office in Nurnberg. 

 I believe it to have been a special presentation to Durer' s friend Pirk- 

 heimer, much of whose library was purchased by the great Earl of 

 Arundel, in the time of Charles I., and from whom was obtained the 

 priceless volume of Durer' s original sketches which constitutes one of 

 the great art treasures of the British Museum. In any case, I can 

 claim for it the rare distinction of being the only recorded artist's 

 proof copy of Durer' s engravings of the " Life of the Virgin " in ex- 

 istence, and, as such, worthy of special notice from all who esteem 

 the labours of the great artist of Nurnberg. 



