Michael Cross (painter)

[1] The painter Michael Cross, of unknown parentage, place of birth, and training, obtained great renown as a copyist in the reign of Charles I.

He is doubtless identical with Miguel de la Cruz, a painter at Madrid, who in 1633 executed copies for Charles I of the principal pictures in the royal galleries at Madrid, in memory of Charles's visit to Spain.

In the catalogue of Charles I's collection there is mentioned "A piece of our Lady, copied at the Escurial in Spain, after Raphael Urbin, by Mich. de la Croy".

[2] After the Restoration, Cross petitioned Charles II to redeem a promise made to the petitioner while at Caen in Normandy, for the renewal of a pension of 200l.

per annum granted him by Charles I during twenty-eight years for services, "both in Spaine in coppying of old peeces of famous painters, and in Italie in making newe collections".