HILLIARD, NICHOLAS (c. 1537-1619), the first true English miniature painter, is said to have been the son of Richard Hilliard of Exeter. He was appointed goldsmith, carver and por trait painter to Queen Elizabeth, and engraved the Great Seal of England in 1586. He was in high favour with James I. as well as with Elizabeth, and from the king received a patent of appoint ment (May 5, 1617), which granted him a sole licence for the royal work for twelve years. He is believed to have been the author of an important treatise on miniature painting, now pre served in the Bodleian Library, but it seems more probable that the author of that treatise was John de Critz, Serjeant Painter to James I. It is probable, however, that the treatise was taken down from the instructions of Hilliard, for the benefit of one of his pupils, perhaps Isaac Oliver. Donne, in a poem called "The Storm" (1597) praises Hilliard's work. He painted a portrait of himself at the age of thirteen, and is said to have executed one of Mary queen of Scots when he was eighteen years old. He died on Jan. 7, 1619, and was buried in St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, Westminster.
It seems to be pretty certain that he visited France, and that he is the artist alluded to in the papers of the duc d'Alencon under the name of "Nicholas Belliart, peintre anglois" who was painter to this prince in 1577, receiving a stipend of 200 livres.
For further information respecting Hilliard's sojourn in France, see the privately printed catalogue of the collection of miniatures belonging to J. Pierpont Morgan, compiled by Dr. G. C. Williamson.