He was a decorative painter he painted chimney pieces, overdoors, wall hangings and ceilings for the luxurious buildings of his time.

[2] He became court painter to Frederick William I of Prussia and professor at the Prussian Academy of Arts.

His father, Hans Jacob Terwesten or Zurwesten, was originally from Augsburg while his mother Catharina came from Berlin.

In his father's workshop Augustinus learned the art of engraving, goldsmithing and wax modelling.

Ezaias, the middle son of the family, also worked temporarily in his father's workshop and settled later in Rome as a flower and fruit painter.

[4] In the spring of 1696 he travelled via Leipzig and Neurenberg to Augsburg where to his regret no family members were still living.

When the latter died in 1711, he succeeded him as court painter in Berlin, while Ezaias went to Italy, where he married and settled permanently.

The Flemish still life painters Pieter Hardimé and Gaspar Peeter Verbruggen the Younger who both worked in the Dutch Republic during their careers are among his known collaborators.

When one of the flower painters was without a commission, Terwesten would occasionally paint a simple background motif such as a vase with drapery or playing putti and the specialist would add the flowers and have the finished painting offered for sale.