Johann Ernst Heinsius

In addition to his father, he may have studied with Carl Christlieb Reinthaler (?-1770), a local decorative painter.

His presence is testified to in Heidecksburg, Rudolstadt and in Hildburghausen as well, until 1769 when his patron, Duke Ernst Frederick III, was compelled to declare bankruptcy.

Despite this limited success, his work in Weimar was always dogged by illnesses in the family, debt, and clinging relatives.

In 1781, the Grand Duke granted him a three-year leave of absence, during which he was mostly resident in Hamburg, working for the wealthy bourgeoisie.

They apparently remained in this destitute state until 1788, when Georg Melchior Kraus helped him obtain a teaching position at the Weimar Princely Free Drawing School.