Elbfas was born in Livonia and educated in Strasbourg, in a tradition dating back to Renaissance portraits. He established himself in Sweden from 1622 and from 1628 in Stockholm where he became a guild master.
Elbfas's early life involved being born in Livonia and studying in Strasbourg, following a long-standing tradition seen in Renaissance art. He later set up his artistic career in Sweden around 1622 and eventually became the leader of a guild in Stockholm by 1628.