HILLIARD, NICHOLAS

(1547-1619)

English goldsmith and painter of miniatures. As a client of the wealthy Protestant merchant John Bodley, he fled toGenevaduring the Catholic restoration under Queen Mary I (1553-1558). Under her Protestant successor,Elizabeth I, he was active as a court painter, though he spent the late 1570s in Paris in hopes of gaining more income there. He returned to England about 1578. He continued to be active as a painter of portraits and acknowledged the influence ofAlbrecht DürerandHans Holbein the Youngeron his art. Hilliard produced jewelry as well as paintings. Under Elizabeth, he was involved in making the second great seal for the queen, and under James I he received a grant of monopoly to produce, engrave, and print royal portraits.