Английский Этимологический словарь - frontspiece

- 1597, from M.Fr. frontispice, probably from It. frontespizio and L.L. frontispicium "facade," originally "a view of the forehead, judgment of character through facial features," from L. frons (gen. frontis) "forehead" + specere "look at." Sense of "illustration facing a book's title page" first recorded 1682.