During his lifetime Michel's paintings and drawings were highly regarded and eagerly sought after. His major patron, the Baron d'Ivry, systematically bought most of his works and thereby prevented his work being more widely known by following generations. Michel was the restorer of the Dutch paintings in the Louvre, and his own work was deeply influenced by Dutch 17th Century landscapes- particularly Ruisdael- indeed, he was nicknamed the 'Ruisdael of Montmatre'. Everyday, whatever the weather, Michel would walk to Montmatre or a neighbouring area to sketch. He did not travel much outside the environ of Paris, as he believed that an 'artist who can't find enough to paint within a few miles of his home all of his life is a bad painter'