These four drawings were first attributed to Edward Pearce (c.1635-1695) by Howard Colvin in 1948 (see his manuscript note on the mount of 1., SM volume 111/60). Arthur Bolton had attributed them to 'William Talman', as Talman's collector's mark is inscribed on all three drawings. However, as Colvin explains (Biographical Dictionary, 2008, p. 793), Talman's connection with the drawings was the result of Pearce's instruction in his will that his 'very good friend' William Talman was 'to have the choise and picking of what theirin [his 'Clositt of Books, Prints and drawings'] shall seeme to make up the worthy collection he intends'.