Born in France around 1810, Adolph Rinck became a portrait and miniature painter, an art teacher of painting and drawing, and a sketch artist. He emigrated to America, settling in 1840 in New Orleans, likely as a result of his friendship with Joseph Vaudechamp, whom he mentioned in his portrait advertisements. His studio locations varied: corner of St. Anthony's Square (1842), Bourbon Street (1846) and Place d'Armes (1850-1851), where his wife, Margarette, opened a shop. Among his miniature portrait subjects was John Woodhouse Audubon.

Excepting perhaps some of the Civil War years, he stayed in that city during the winters until 1871, having arrived with good credentials that included studies in Berlin ...