Johann Valentin Tischbein

His father, Johann Heinrich Tischbein (1682–1764) was a baker; five of whose eight children became painters.

From 1729 to 1736, he studied art; first in Darmstadt with the court painter Johann Christian Fiedler, then in Kassel with the portrait painter, Johann Georg von Freese (1701–1775).

His whereabouts for the next three years is uncertain, although he appears to have spent some time in Frankfurt am Main.

From 1744 to c.1747, he served as court painter to the Hohenlohes in Kirchberg an der Jagst, where he was married.

His next known location was Maastricht, where he had a commission from Hobbe Esaias van Aylva [nl], the military Governor, to create a series of nine (mostly posthumous) portraits of his predecessors (currently on display at the Schloss Fasanerie [de] in Fulda).