A native of Estonia from a wealthy Swedish family. He studied at the Imperial Academy of arts (1795-1808), a disciple of I. P. Martos. For programming the bas-relief "Three Jewish boy before Nebuchadnezzar" (1807) was awarded a small gold medal for a bas-relief software "Martha Governor's wife with a young Miroslav comes to his grandfather Theodosius" (1808) he received a gold medal, certificate 1-th degree for the title of class artist and left retired at IAH. A pensioner IAH in Italy (1817-1828), where he enjoyed the advice of A. Thorvaldsen. In Italy, began working as a portraitist. Taught at the Imperial Academy of arts (1829), was in the position of associate Professor and Professor (from 1831). For work performed in Rome, received the title of academician (1831). "The work without execution of a special program" received the title of Professor of the Imperial Academy of arts (1836). In Kalah cast only one of his bust – portrait of I. A. Krylov (1830).
