Later he gave up book illustrations in favour of compositions of Raphael, mediated through the engravings of Marcantonio Raimondi, and, in at least one case, by direct access to a drawing by Raphael of Michelangelo's David, seen from the rear. Nicola often introduced prominently pieces of schematic and severely frontal architecture in the Renaissance manner. His plate of Solomon Adoring an Idol in the Museo Correr adapts an illustration from Hypnerotomachia Poliphilii.
After that, he stopped doing illustrations for books and instead focused on Raphael's works, which were then reproduced through engravings by Marcantonio Raimondi. In one instance, he even had access to a drawing of Michelangelo's David from the back. Nicola often included architectural designs in his work, inspired by the Renaissance style. His plate of Solomon Adoring an Idol at the Museo Correr is based on an illustration from Hypnerotomachia Poliphili.