The son of a goldsmith, Zincke was born in Dresden where he trained with his father and with the portrait painter, Heinrich-Christoph Fehling. In 1706 Zincke moved to England. By 1714 he had established himself as a miniature painter, attracting important clients and royal patronage. He was appointed Cabinet Painter to Frederick, Prince of Wales in 1732. His miniatures are recognisable by their smooth, glossy surface and use of red stippling on the face of the sitter.