Julius Heinsius Artwork valuations, appraisals and auction estimates

Johann Julius Heinsius was a German painter born in Hildburghausen on 7 February 1740. He was the younger brother of Johann Ernst, also a painter. Read the full biography

Johann Julius Heinsius was a German painter born in Hildburghausen on 7 February 1740. He was the younger brother of Johann Ernst, also a painter. The confusion between the two brothers has caused some inconsistencies in their biographies. Compared to his brother, Julius had a successful career as a court painter to princesses. In 1779 he moved to Paris, where he exhibited regularly at the Salon in the following years. His portraits demonstrate a remarkable capacity for observation and a refined sensitivity in capturing the personality of his models. Subsequently, Julius was appointed "Premier Peintre de Mesdames de France", which led to further successes. In 1788, at the height of his career, he was commissioned to create the portrait of Queen Marie Antoinette, which unfortunately is now lost. Julius died on May 19, 1812 in Orléans.