 It is thought that he attended the Gymnasium (secondary school) in Königsberg till 1832, but his public schooling was complemented by private tuition.It was probably because of his parents' divorce that he switched to the Catholic Gymnasium at Braunsberg, some 50 km to the south-west of Königsberg, which he attended between 1832 and 1834.Between 11 May and 23 June 1833, still aged only 18, and identified simply as "Schmiedeberg, Braunsberg", he exhibited at the third arts and crafts exhibition (""Kunst- und Gewerbeausstellung"") in Königsberg a work entitled ""General Chassee, Copie"", He exhibited again at Königsberg 's fourth arts and crafts exhibition between 6 May and 3 June 1834, presenting two copper-plate engravings