Note 20 — Chapter I · The History of the “Ambassadors” from 1533 to 1654

Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale, Cabinet des Estampes, Cote Yᵈ, 184; and a second copy in the same library, Imprimés, V, 8201, 18. Catalogue de tableaux ... après le décès de M. Beaujon ... redigé par P. Rémy et C. F. Julliot, fils. Pp. 7 et 8, Ecole des Pays-Bas, Jean Holbein. In the margin of the first copy named is a note in ink: “Prix de vente 602L. A été vendu avec le No. précédent et pour la même somme.” The preceding number (16) is under the same heading “Jean Holbein.” But as it is said to represent “La Cour de François II.,” who began to reign in 1559, while Holbein died in 1543, it is scarcely necessary to observe that, if rightly described, it can have had nothing to do with this painter. The sale began on April 25, 1787; the “Ambassadors” and its companion picture were disposed of on May 5.