among his earliest verses are lines prefixed to "graphice" (1658) by sir william sanderson (the sanderson baronets), a work containing a description of the art of miniature painting, based on edward norgate’s writings. flatman divided his career between writing poetry (in which his earnest religious temperament is revealed) and painting portraits in miniature. a versatile man, he was made a fellow of the newly founded royal society in 1668. a number of his friends were leading clergymen, and many of his sitters were drawn from the church and other intellectual circles.