Ludwig Lindenschmit the Elder
Ludwig Lindenschmit (the Elder) (September 4, 1809 – February 14, 1893) was a German history painter, prehistorian and art instructor who was a native of Mainz. He was a younger brother to history painter Wilhelm Lindenschmit (1806–1848), and father to prehistorian Ludwig Lindenschmit (the Younger) (1850–1922). • Illustration — Rescue from the burning castle (1880, oil on panel) He studied art in Vienna and Munich, and beginning in 1831, was a high school art teacher in his hometown of Mainz. Here, he taught classes in art until the 1870s, and as his career progressed, his interest in prehistoric Germanic antiquities grew.
Also recorded as Ludwig Lindenschmit I · Ludwig, I Lindenschmit · Ludwig von Lindenschmit · ludwig lindenschmidt
Ludwig Lindenschmit the Elder

Ludwig Lindenschmit the Elder · Dorotheum: Info about artwork · Public domain
- Name
- Ludwig Lindenschmit
- Born
- 4 September 1809
- Birthplace
- Mayence, Mont-Tonnerre, First French Empire
- Died
- 14 February 1893
- Place of death
- Mainz, Grand Duchy of Hesse, German Empire
- Education
- Royal Academy of Fine Arts
- Spouse
- Luise
- Nationality
- Grand Duchy of Hesse.
- Occupation
- painter, archaeologist, anthropologist, prehistorian and art educator.
- Fields
- history.
- Honours
- Cothenius Medal and honorary doctorate of the University of Basel.
- Languages
- German.
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Documentary summary
Ludwig Lindenschmit (the Elder) (September 4, 1809 – February 14, 1893) was a German history painter, prehistorian and art instructor who was a native of Mainz. He was a younger brother to history painter Wilhelm Lindenschmit (1806–1848), and father to prehistorian Ludwig Lindenschmit (the Younger) (1850–1922). • Illustration — Rescue from the burning castle (1880, oil on panel) He studied art in Vienna and Munich, and beginning in 1831, was a high school art teacher in his hometown of Mainz. Here, he taught classes in art until the 1870s, and as his career progressed, his interest in prehistoric Germanic antiquities grew.
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wikidata · Q544470 · wikipedia · Ludwig Lindenschmit the Elder
In this article
Biography
Biography
In 1848 he published Das Germanische Totenlager von Selzen, an important treatise on Germanic sepulchral mounds. In 1851, he became head of the Romano-Germanic Central Museum in Mainz. Lindenschmit was an outspoken critic of the "three-age system" developed by archaeologist Christian Jürgensen Thomsen (1788–1865).

Hauptfriedhof Mainz, Feld 8, Grab von Ludwig Lindenschmit d.Ä. u. Ludwig Lindenschmit d.J.
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Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Ludwig Lindenschmit • Honorific Suffix — the Elder • Born — 4 September 1809 • Birthplace — Mayence, Mont-Tonnerre, First French Empire • Died — 14 February 1893 • Place of death — Mainz, Grand Duchy of Hesse, German Empire • Education — Royal Academy of Fine Arts • Spouse — Luise • Children — 6 • Father — Johann Lindenschmit • Relatives — * Wilhelm Lindenschmit the Elder (brother) • Wilhelm Lindenschmit the Younger (nephew)
Identity and origins
Identity and origins
The authorities additionally record the headings Ludwig Lindenschmit I, Ludwig, I Lindenschmit, Ludwig von Lindenschmit, ludwig lindenschmidt and Ludwig Lindenschmit. His recorded language was German. He was the child of Johann Lindenschmit.
Identity
Identity
Ludwig Lindenschmit the Elder is recorded with the occupation anthropologist. Classed in the genre history painting. Recorded as having received Cothenius Medal and honorary doctorate of the University of Basel.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1809
Ludwig Lindenschmit the Elder was born on 4 September 1809.
1893
Ludwig Lindenschmit the Elder died on 14 February 1893.
Selected publications
• Das Germanische Totenlager von Selzen (1848). • Die Altertümer unserer heidnischen Vorzeit (1858–90). • Die Altertümer der merovingischen Zeit (1880–89). • Tracht und Bewaffnung des römischen Heeres während der Kaiserzeit (1882).
Primary material
Documents and archives
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q544470: Ludwig Lindenschmit the Elder
General reference · Wikidata
reference work
- “Ludwig Lindenschmit the Elder”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
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authority record
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 17 August 2026.
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