Born in Dordrecht in 1710. Trained there as a painter and watercolourist under Adriaan van der Burg. Specialised in animal pictures. 1735 journeyed to Kassel, where he worked for the court. 1748 settled in The Hague, and became a member of the drawing academy. 1765/66 and 1775 sojourns in England. Died in The Hague in 1792.