Michael Burghers

Plate 9 from Natural History of Oxfordshire, by Robert Plot, from 1677.

Michael Burghers was an illustrator and artist of the 17th century; born around 1647-48, he died in 1727.

He was commissioned to create maps, estate plans, and illustrations of stately houses, by the English aristocracy of that period. He is also the author of a book, 'Ancient Mysteries Described', which was reprinted into the early 19th century.

Descent into Hell, published in his own Ancient Mysteries Described.

Biography

Michael Burghers was a Dutch engraver, who settled in England on the taking of Utrecht by Louis XIV. He resided chiefly at Oxford; and on several of his plates he added to his name Academiae Oxon. calcographus. From the great number of his prints, it is probable he was employed by the booksellers, as well as for the University. He worked almost wholly with the graver, in a stiff, tasteless style. He has the merit, however, of having preserved to us many remains of antiquity which would otherwise have been lost. He engraved the plates for the Almanacks of the University, the first of which, by him, was in the year 1676. His most esteemed prints are his antiquities, ruins of abbeys, and other curiosities. He engraved also several portraits and plates for the classics. The following are the principal:

Portrait of William Sommer, from 1693, now at the National Portrait Gallery.

• Illustrations to Dr. Plot's Hist. of Staffordshire. 1686. (pictured)
• Illustrations to Dr. White Kennet's History of Ambroseden.
• William Somner, the antiquary; after Van Dyck (pictured)
• Franciscus Junius; after the same.
• John Barefoot, letter doctor to the University. 1681.
• Head of James 11; for an Almanack. 1686.
• Anthony à Wood; in a niche; his only mezzotint.
• King Alfred; from a MS. in the Bodleian Library.
• Sir Thomas Bodley; in the Corners of the plate are the Heads of the other Benefactors of the Library; William, Earl of Pembroke, Archbishop Laud, Sir Kenelm Digby, and John Selden.
• Timothy Hatton, provost of Queen's College.
• Dr. Wallis. 1699.
• Sir Thomas Wyat.
• John Baliol.
• Devorguilla, his spouse.
• Dr. Ratcliff.
• The Visage of Christ; engraved in the manner of Mellan, with one stroke.

References

This article incorporates text from the article "BURGHERS, Michael" in Bryan's Dictionary of Painters and Engravers by Michael Bryan, edited by Robert Edmund Graves and Sir Walter Armstrong, an 1886-1889 publication now in the public domain.

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Name	Burghers, Michael
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Date of death	1727
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