His father was a baker. His four older brothers were all painters, the best-known of them being
Johann Heinrich Tischbein. His first teacher was his brother
Johann Valentin Tischbein. In 1753, he enrolled at the
Royal Academy of Art in
The Hague, which had an international reputation for its teaching in the
Baroque style. In 1758, he entered the service of Count Christian August von
Solms-Laubach as his secretary. He moved to Hanau in 1769 to become
court painter for
William I, Elector of Hesse and, after 1772, worked to establish an art academy there and became a teacher. He worked not only for the nobility, but also for wealthy aristocrats, including
Johann Christian Senckenberg, the Brentanos and the La Roches. Portraits were his main work, but he also created historical scenes and small works known as "Kabinettstücke", as well as decorating the
Lustschloss at Wilhelmsbad; now a park near Hanau. == Sources ==