Jean-Baptiste Michel

Jean-Baptiste Michel was an artist active across the mid-to-late 18th century, with a documented career spanning the years 1748 to 1783. His known artistic output consists primarily of prints, five examples of which are represented in the major institutional holdings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Michel’s thematic focus encompassed both classical mythology and religious narratives, reflecting popular artistic interests of the period. The works preserved in collections include the mythological scenes The Sleep of Cupid, A nymph and shepherd, and Venus and Cupid. He also produced religious prints, such as The Nativity, as well as reproductive works based on compositions by other masters. This is demonstrated by the intricate print The infant Christ lying on a wooden box, the Virgin kneeling in prayer before him, Saint Joseph at left, shepherds at right, in an octagonal frame, after Reni, confirming his role as an engraver translating and distributing known paintings.

The five extant impressions of Jean-Baptiste Michel prints held in museum collections provide insight into 18th-century printmaking practices. Due to the age of these works, the original plates are now often in the public domain, allowing institutions to generate high-quality prints for scholarly use and public consumption.