Note 13 — Chapter I · The History of the “Ambassadors” from 1533 to 1654

It seems unnecessary to record here the many interesting suggestions put forward for the identification of Holbein’s sitters. An exception should perhaps be made with regard to Mr. Sidney Colvin’s proposal of Nicholas Bourbon, the poet, for the second figure; because, in consequence of an article from his pen in the “Art Journal” for January, 1891, the idea was repeated in more permanent form, though merely as a surmise, by Mr. Lionel Cust, in the “Dictionary of National Biography” (art. “Holbein”). It is sufficient to say here that Mr. Colvin immediately withdrew his suggestion when the real identity of the second individual was made known. (“Times,” Dec. 10, 1895.)