John Theodore Heins Snr, (1697-1756)

John Theodore Heins, Snr, (1697-1756 Norwich). Portrait of Master Harry Spark Patterson (1725-1764), three-quarter length in a grey coat feeding three doves on a ledge. Oil on canvas in an English period carved and giltwood frame, signed and dated 1729. The frame carries an inventory no. 26.

Harry Spark Patterson was the eldest son of Harry Spark Patterson Senior and was born July 2nd 1725 and died May 2nd 1764.  His wife was Martha (surname unknown) and they had two sons, John and Henry.

John Theodore Heins (1697-1756) possibly originated from Germany and moved to the UK around 1720 settling in Norwich.  From 1720 until his death in 1756, Heins built up a fine reputation as a portrait painter, painting many members of prominent Norfolk families.  He was commissioned in 1732 to paint a portrait of the Mayor of Norwich, Francis Arnam and also the previous Mayor Robert Marsh. After this he received regular  commissions to paint Mayors and other civil dignitaries. His portraits included sitters from Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and also Devon and Cornwall. Heins died in Norwich on 10 August 1756 aged 59 years.