Little is know about the German-born artist J. F. Hefele, his personal life, or his artistic training. It is known that he traveled to England as a soldier in the service of the Dutch Prince William of Orange, who overthrew James II of England in the non-violent revolution of 1688. Hefele remained in England until his death around 1710.

 

Most works signed by the artist are colorful paintings of exotic birds and flowers done in bodycolor (also called gouache), an opaque watercolor, but some depect common European animals in natural settings like this example ducks and geese on a river or lake.