, was one of a family of engravers on wood, who obtained considerable
, was one of a family of engravers
on wood, who obtained considerable reputation in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. He flourished about
1670, but attained less fame than his son John, who was
born at St. Quentin in 1661. The grandson John Baptist Michel was the most successful in his art, especially
in those engravings which represent foliage and flowers,
many beautiful specimens of which are inserted in his publication on the art of engraving in wood; and the whole
prove that he was a very skilful master in every branch of
the art he professed. The human figure he seems to have
been the least acquainted with, and has consequently failed
most in those prints into which it is introduced. He died
in 1776; about ten years before which event he published
in 2 vols. 8vo, his “Traite historique et pratique de la
gravure en bois,
” a work of great merit as to the theory of
an art, which, it is almost needless to add, has of late
years been brought to the highest perfection by some
ingenious men of our own country, led first to this pursuit by the excellent example and success of the Messrs.
Bewickes.