(b Hessendamm, nr Wolfenbüttel, 16 Oct 1723; d Salzdahlum, 6 Aug 1803). German painter, engraver, sculptor and administrator. He began his career as a pattern writer, then became a professional soldier. During this time he trained as a draughtsman, painter and copyist. From 1756 he was employed at the Fürstenberg porcelain factory as a painter and model draughtsman. He continued his artistic training on trips to other German cities (e.g. Nuremberg, Ansbach, Düsseldorf) and to the Netherlands, where he was also occasionally active as an art dealer. He was engaged by Charles I, Duke of Brunswick, and he took up residence in Salzdahlum; he was appointed gallery inspector of the Duke’s collection in Salzdahlum in 1789. With his wide variety of functions—as an artistic adviser, a modeller of porcelain works and miniature busts and as a painter—he played an important role in artistic life in Brunswick. In 1795 he became a member of the Preussische Kunstakademie in Berlin.