(Liebenwalde 1842-1918 Eberswalde institution)

The son of a teacher, Mebes spent his childhood and youth in Liebenwalde and Pritzerbe. In 1857, he began his apprenticeship as a watchmaker in Brandenburg. In autobiographical texts, he describes his extensive traveling activities as a journeyman watchmaker. On the way, as he reports, he committed some "evil deeds", which he wanted to atone for through a religious way of life. In 1868, he set up his own watchmaking business in Pritzerbe. He married a widow in 1877 and had four children with her, one of whom, Heinrich Hermann, died. According to Mebes, he fell ill for the first time in 1878. He was admitted to an asylum and probably stayed there for two years. In 1888 he was admitted to the Eberswalde asylum. Here, after eleven years, he found his way to religious painting and poetry. Between 1913 and 1918, he created five illuminated books. After 30 years of hospitalization, Mebes died at the age of 76.

The five books, drawings, poems and medical records were given to Hans Prinzhorn by the Eberwalde asylum in 1919 in response to his circular letter.