Michael Burghers (b. c.1647/8 – 1727) was a Dutch illustrator and artist of the 17th century, who spent most of his career in England. He was commissioned to create maps, estate plans, and illustrations of stately houses, by the English aristocracy.

Biography

Michael Burghers was a Dutch engraver, who settled in England on the taking of Utrecht by Louis XIV. He lived mostly at Oxford, and on several of his plates he added ''Academiae Oxon. calcographus'' after his name. He was the author of a book, Ancient Mysteries Described, which was reprinted into the early 19th century. Describing Burghers' style, Joseph Strutt wrote"He worked almost wholly with the graver, in a stiff, tasteless style, without genius, or knowledge of the art of design. His drawing, when he attempted to draw the naked figure is wholly defective. He has, though, painfully preserved many ancient reliques, the originals of which are now lost." Strutt thought that Burghers' best plates were his copies after Claude Mellan, and his topographical work, much of it for the antiquary Thomas Hearne. He died on 10 January 1726–7.

Works

From 1676 Burghers engraved the plates for the Almanacks of the university. His most esteemed prints are his antiquities, ruins of abbeys, and other curiosities. He also engraved several portraits and plates for the classics. They include:

Book illustrations

Other plates