Theodor Schloepke

He was born to Johann Carl Hermann Schloepke (1775–1823), a church organist, and his wife Anna Agnete Christiane, née Schumacher (1782–1819)[1] After becoming orphaned, at the age of eleven, he was raised by an uncle.

Initially apprenticed to a bookbinder, his displays of artistic talent led to an apprenticeship with a decorative painter named Michaelsen.

[1] He returned to Schwerin and settled there permanently in 1840. the Following year, he married Josephine Feliciane Eliza Lodoiska, née Roza (1814–1874).

From 1855 to 1857, he visited Paris on behalf of his patron, Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II, and created works in cooperation with Horace Vernet.

[3] In addition to his portraits (notably that of Fritz Reuter), he is perhaps best known for his monumental canvas, "Niklot's Death", which was shown at several events, including the 1862 International Exhibition in London, and is currently on display at Schwerin Castle.