From 1802 to 1818 he worked in SPb. Mint. Numismatist and collector. His collection of coins and medals, 46575 rooms, is located in Hermitage. In 1809, admitted to the "assigned to" "the portrait in the medallion of His Imperial Majesty". Was also engaged in painting. (Kondakov)
A German by birth. He was still Yakovlevich patronymic and a Russian citizen, who in 1801 identified the pupil at the Academy of fine arts, where he studied for a very worthy. In 1807 he received a small silver medal in 1808 — two small silver and small gold medal for the execution of the program "Introduce a sculptor, practices in their work."
1809 — the last year of Jacob Reichel in the Academy, brought him a gold medal and diploma of the first degree with a sword for a well-worn program "to present to the priest, interpreting the two young men the commandments of God." It is so impressive successes accompanied by the Academy of arts and overseas pensioner's trip, which went Reichel in 1810.
The artist has achieved success in various areas of the fine arts: engraving, in miniature. Brushes K. Reichel belong the portraits of many prominent Russian public figures, among them — AI Herzen, T. N. Granovsky, P. A. Vyazemsky. Married to the stepdaughter of the Decembrist A. P. Ushastogo the artist moved in 1845 with his family to his mother-in-law who became a widow and lived for some time in Irkutsk.
