Michael Burghers
Encyclopedia
Michael Burghers was an illustrator
and artist
of the 17th century; born around 1647-48, he died in 1727.
He was commissioned to create map
s, 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.
, 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:
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
and artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
of the 17th century; born around 1647-48, he died in 1727.
He was commissioned to create map
Map
A map is a visual representation of an area—a symbolic depiction highlighting relationships between elements of that space such as objects, regions, and themes....
s, estate plans, and illustrations of stately houses
Stately home
A stately home is a "great country house". It is thus a palatial great house or in some cases an updated castle, located in the British Isles, mostly built between the mid-16th century and the early part of the 20th century, as well as converted abbeys and other church property...
, by the English aristocracy
Aristocracy
Aristocracy , is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best". In origin in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy...
of that period. He is also the author of a book, 'Ancient Mysteries Described', which was reprinted into the early 19th century.
Biography
Michael Burghers was a Dutch engraverEngraving
Engraving is the practice of incising a design on to a hard, usually flat surface, by cutting grooves into it. The result may be a decorated object in itself, as when silver, gold, steel, or glass are engraved, or may provide an intaglio printing plate, of copper or another metal, for printing...
, who settled in England on the taking of Utrecht
Utrecht
Utrecht is a city in the Netherlands.The name may also refer to:* Utrecht , of which Utrecht is the capital* Utrecht , including the city of Utrecht* Bishopric of Utrecht* Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Utrecht...
by Louis XIV
Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days...
. He resided chiefly at Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
; 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
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
. He worked almost wholly with the graver
Burin
Burin from the French burin meaning "cold chisel" has two specialised meanings for types of tools in English, one meaning a steel cutting tool which is the essential tool of engraving, and the other, in archaeology, meaning a special type of lithic flake with a chisel-like edge which was probably...
, 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
Oxford Almanack
The Oxford Almanack is an annual almanac published by the Oxford University Press for the University of Oxford since 1674. The Oxford University Press originally held a monopoly on publishing almanacs...
, 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:
- Illustrations to Dr. PlotRobert PlotRobert Plot was an English naturalist, first Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oxford, and the first keeper of the Ashmolean Museum....
's Hist. of Staffordshire. 1686. (pictured) - Illustrations to Dr. White KennetWhite KennettWhite Kennett was an English bishop and antiquarian.-Life:He was born at Dover. He was educated at Westminster School and at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, where, while an undergraduate, he published several translations of Latin works, including Erasmus' In Praise of Folly.Kennett was vicar of...
's History of Ambroseden. - William SomnerWilliam SomnerWilliam Somner was an English antiquarian scholar, the author of the first dictionary of the Anglo-Saxon language.-Life:He was baptised in the church of St. Margaret, Canterbury, on 5 November 1598, but according to a statement of his widow and surviving relatives, the date of his birth was 30...
, the antiquary; after Van DyckAnthony van DyckSir Anthony van Dyck was a Flemish Baroque artist who became the leading court painter in England. He is most famous for his portraits of Charles I of England and his family and court, painted with a relaxed elegance that was to be the dominant influence on English portrait-painting for the next...
(pictured) - Franciscus JuniusFranciscus Junius (the younger)Franciscus Junius , also known as François du Jon, was a pioneer of Germanic philology. As a collector of ancient manuscripts, he published the first modern editions of a number of important texts.-Life:...
; after the same. - John Barefoot, letter doctor to the University. 1681.
- Head of James 11; for an Almanack. 1686.
- Anthony à WoodAnthony WoodAnthony Wood or Anthony à Wood was an English antiquary.-Early life:Anthony Wood was the fourth son of Thomas Wood , BCL of Oxford, where Anthony was born...
; in a niche; his only mezzotintMezzotintMezzotint is a printmaking process of the intaglio family, technically a drypoint method. It was the first tonal method to be used, enabling half-tones to be produced without using line- or dot-based techniques like hatching, cross-hatching or stipple...
. - King AlfredAlfred the GreatAlfred the Great was King of Wessex from 871 to 899.Alfred is noted for his defence of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of southern England against the Vikings, becoming the only English monarch still to be accorded the epithet "the Great". Alfred was the first King of the West Saxons to style himself...
; from a MS.ManuscriptA manuscript or handwrite is written information that has been manually created by someone or some people, such as a hand-written letter, as opposed to being printed or reproduced some other way...
in the Bodleian LibraryBodleian LibraryThe Bodleian Library , the main research library of the University of Oxford, is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and in Britain is second in size only to the British Library...
. - Sir Thomas BodleyThomas BodleySir Thomas Bodley was an English diplomat and scholar, founder of the Bodleian Library, Oxford.-Biography:...
; in the Corners of the plate are the Heads of the other Benefactors of the Library; William, Earl of PembrokeWilliam Herbert, 3rd Earl of PembrokeWilliam Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, KG, PC was the son of Henry Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke and his third wife Mary Sidney. Chancellor of the University of Oxford, he founded Pembroke College, Oxford with King James. He was warden of the Forest of Dean, and constable of St Briavels from 1608...
, Archbishop LaudWilliam LaudWilliam Laud was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1633 to 1645. One of the High Church Caroline divines, he opposed radical forms of Puritanism...
, Sir Kenelm DigbyKenelm DigbySir Kenelm Digby was an English courtier and diplomat. He was also a highly reputed natural philosopher, and known as a leading Roman Catholic intellectual and Blackloist. For his versatility, Anthony à Wood called him the "magazine of all arts".-Early life and career:He was born at Gayhurst,...
, and John SeldenJohn SeldenJohn Selden was an English jurist and a scholar of England's ancient laws and constitution and scholar of Jewish law...
. - Timothy Hatton, provost of Queen's College.
- Dr. Wallis. 1699.
- Sir Thomas Wyat.
- John Baliol.
- DevorguillaDervorguilla of GallowayDervorguilla of Galloway was a 'lady of substance' during the 13th century, wife from 1223 of John, 5th Baron de Balliol, and mother of the future king John I of Scotland. The name Dervorguilla or Devorgilla was a Latinization of the Gaelic Dearbhfhorghaill...
, his spouse. - Dr. Ratcliff.
- The Visage of Christ; engraved in the manner of MellanClaude MellanClaude Mellan was a French engraver and painter.Mellan was born in Abbeville. Among the leading engravers of his time, he is best known for his numerous portraits as well as for his engraving technique of using parallel lines of varying thickness, rather than the more traditional technique of...
, with one stroke.