Johann Philipp Castelhun, son of Johann Georg Castelhuna and Anna Barbara Roß, was born 21 July 1719 in Nordheim of what is now known as Kreis Bergstraße, Hessen, Germany.  He was a school master, teacher, and tax collector.  He married Maria Barbara Schreiner and they had at least six children.  He died on 7 December 1807 in Nordheim.

This drawing was probably done around 1797 ±10 years, most likely by his students or alumni, most likely as a gentle teasing since the braided rope or branch and the two iron rings suggest a visual pun of antlers behind his head ("Hörner aufhaben" or "jemandem Hörner aufsetzen").

While often meant to depict a cuckold, that seems unlikely since the family not only saved the artwork, but photographed it and redistributed copies to relatives at some point between 1890 to 1920.  It was more likely meant as a humorous image of a beloved eccentric figure in the small town, maybe done around the time of his retirement as a way of celebrating.