Faced with military conscription, he fled to Frankfurt where he found work in a tin factory, painting portraits of famous people on cans and cups. He also worked on making connections for his personal career but, with business down due to the Russian Campaign, he lost his job and moved to Stuttgart, where he worked as a portrait painter. By 1816, he had earned enough to make a visit home, then returned to Stuttgart after a short stay in Karlsruhe. Once he was settled there, he was able to obtain the patronage of the Duchess Wilhelmine, wife of Duke William Frederick Philip of Württemberg. Their sons, Count Alexander and Count Wilhelm (Later the Duke of Urach), were also frequent customers. During this time, he travelled extensively; visiting Belgium, Paris and Rome, where he painted Pope Leo XII.