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Ludwig Philipp Des Coudres
(1820–78)

Other names: Louis

Biographical

A German painter, Des Coudres showed an early inclination towards art, entering the academy of his home city at 17, after receiving solid training in drawing under Krauskopf during a year of architectural study at the local polytechnic school. After two years of successful work at the Kassel Academy, he moved to Munich, where Schnorr taught him and the frescoes by Heinrich Hess shaped his further development. One year in Munich and a further three years back in Kassel were spent in steady work; following this period in 1843, Des Coudres set out on a study journey to Italy, for which he did not feel adequately prepared and which brought limited benefit to his artistic progress. On returning from Italy, his meeting with J. W. Schirmer in Kassel led, when he was about 25, to his move to Düsseldorf, where he soon worked independently under Schirmer, Sohn and Schadow. When Schirmer became first director of the newly founded art school in Karlsruhe in 1855, he secured Des Coudres a post there as professor of the antique and painting classes. Strong technical ability combined with a clear talent for teaching soon gave his work a firm structure and earned valued success at the new school. Drawing from antique works became his main teaching focus during the later expansion of the school and growth of staff. His first large painting, Francesca da Rimini, made in Düsseldorf under Schadow’s influence, was followed in Karlsruhe by many portraits and genre scenes as well as two major works, an Entombment in the Karlsruhe Gallery and Christ on the Cross, Mourned by His Own in St Nicholas Church in Hamburg. In Karlsruhe, Des Coudres also took an active role in the administration of the Art Association; within the German Art Cooperative, he contributed through participation in early discussions on legislation for the protection of artistic property. The last 14 years of his life were marked by illness. A fall on ice in 1864 led to a long period of weakness, from which he recovered at intervals through strong effort that allowed him to work again, though the condition steadily worsened. He bore his misfortune with the acceptance of a wise man and the submission of a deeply religious Christian to what he regarded as providence. A peaceful death ended the life of this accomplished artist and respected man, held in high regard by all who knew him.

Place of birth: Kassel
Place of death: Karlsruhe

Son of Johann Des Coudres and Jeanette Rivière, he married Elise Reck in 1858, and had issue:
• Adolf (see)
• Luise (see)