Natalis, Michael

Natalis, Michael a Flemish engraver and student of sacred art, was born at Liege about 1589. After acquiring the elements of design under Joachim Sandrart, he visited Antwerp, and studied engraving under Charles Mallery. From thence he went to Rome, and adopted the style of Cornelius Bloemaert, which he followed with some success. He engraved a number of plates after the great Italian masters; also a part of the plates in the Giustiniani Gallery, in concert with Regnier Persyn, Theodore Matham, and others. On returning to Flanders he was invited to Paris, where he resided some time. His plates are executed with the graver in a free, open style, but are deficient in taste. His drawing is frequently incorrect, and the effect is usually cold and heavy, but his strokes are clear and regular, and he handled the burin with great facility. His portraits are his best productions. A list of his principal plates is given in Spooner's Biog. Hist. of the Fine Arts, 2:609.