Historical figure

Ludwig Foltz

Ludwig Foltz (1809-1867), born in Bingen am Rhein, was an architect, sculptor and decorative artist who worked in Ratisbonne and then in Munich. Trained in Strasbourg and Mayence, he settled in Munich in 1830, where he attended classes at the Academy. He then taught in Ratisbonne and later became a professor at the Polytechnikum de Munich. In the field of castle heritage he is best known for the Königliche Villa in Ratisbonne, the neo-Gothic summer residence of King Maximilien II of Bavaria, built from 1854 to 1856 on the bank of the Danube. His architectural and decorative work has been the subject of a thesis on the history of the so-called Maximilian style (Maximilianstil).

Portrait of Ludwig Foltz
Birth1809, Bingen am Rhein
Death1867, Munich
EraXIXe siècle
History & heritage

Training and career

According to the Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie, Ludwig Foltz, born in Bingen in 1809, trained in Strasbourg under Arnold, then in Mayence under Scholl and Lasaulx, before moving to Munich in 1830, where he attended the Academy. He taught in Ratisbonne at a trade school, then became professor at the Polytechnikum de Munich, a post he held until his death in 1867.

Königliche VillaKönigliche Villa
Timeline

Key moments in their life

1809

Birth of Ludwig Foltz in Bingen am Rhein (23 March according to the article by Fritz-von Preuschen).

1830

After training in Strasbourg and Mayence, he settled in Munich and attended classes at the Academy.

1837

Taught at a trade school in Ratisbonne before being appointed professor at the Polytechnikum de Munich.

1854-1856

Construction of the Königliche Villa in Ratisbonne for King Maximilien II de Bavière; the works were carried out by master mason Wilhelm Madler under his direction.

1867

Died in Munich, while still a professor at the Polytechnikum.

Associated heritage

Castles linked to this figure

1 place
Historical network

Linked personalities

Portrait of Maximilien II de Bavière
Maximilien II de BavièreCommissioner of the Königliche VillaThe king had a neo-Gothic summer residence built in Ratisbonne, designed by Ludwig Foltz (1854-1856).→
Portrait of Carl Effner
Carl EffnerCourt gardener involved in the villa projectThe exact extent of Carl von Effner's role in the design of the villa remains uncertain, as the plans are signed by Foltz alone; he laid out the park in 1860.→
Portrait of Philipp von Foltz
Philipp von FoltzBrother (history painter, 1805-1877)A specialist website on decorative arts presents him as her elder brother, also born in Bingen.→
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Ludwig Foltz in history

The Königliche Villa in Ratisbonne

From 1854 to 1856, Foltz designed Maximilien II's neo-Gothic summer residence on the former East Bastion of Ratisbonne, on the bank of the Danube. The BLfD study describes it as a major work of early historicism; the construction was carried out by master mason Wilhelm Madler under Foltz's direction. The exact extent of Carl von Effner's role remains uncertain, as the plans are signed by Foltz alone.

A decorative arts designer

Foltz was not only an architect: the thesis by Rosa Micus (1986) examines his architectural and applied-arts work as a contribution to the history of the Maximilian style. A specialist website also records him as a pattern designer for the Villeroy & Boch manufactory in Mettlach.

Documentation

Sources for this entry

This summary cross-references several sources to document the places, events and historical relationships.