Ludwig of Germany: The Light of Art, Illuminating Life

Author: (German) Bude/Li Shilong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: What force drives a person to dedicate most of their wealth to collecting art and then exhibit or donate it to places around the world? This is a question that fascinates many people about Peter Ludwig's life. As the author sought answers to this, they encountered three histories: one is the history of this collector as a cultural representative; the second is the history of Germany after 1945; the third is the history of his obsession with art. These are the three main threads of the life of collector Peter Ludwig. His life showcases a fervent pursuit of painting, narrates the story of a young man facing a collapsing world, and describes the difficult role of an art collector in a democratic society.
The material for this book comes from various sources. First, it comes from Peter Ludwig himself. Between 1989 and 1991, the author had a series of conversations with him. Like his character, Peter Ludwig was always willing to answer questions about his life and ideals. Then the author spoke with people around this collector and entrepreneur. Among those I talked to were his ardent followers, calm observers, and sharp critics. Everyone told me their own stories about Peter Ludwig. Additionally, the author consulted the archives of the "Ludwig Foundation for Art and International Understanding" and other available media materials. I also visited the museums he sponsored and viewed the paintings there many times. The author's contact with Peter Ludwig was introduced by Hermann Strasser, and the author thanks him for the significant work he did to make this biography possible.
What force drives a person to dedicate most of their wealth to collecting art and then exhibit or donate it to places around the world? This is a question that fascinates many people about Peter Ludwig's life. As the author sought answers to this, they encountered three histories: one is the history of this collector as a cultural representative; the second is the history of Germany after 1945; the third is the history of his obsession with art. These are the three main threads of the life of collector Peter Ludwig. His life showcases a fervent pursuit of painting, narrates the story of a young man facing a collapsing world, and describes the difficult role of an art collector in a democratic society.
The material for this book comes from various sources. First, it comes from Peter Ludwig himself. Between 1989 and 1991, the author had a series of conversations with him. Like his character, Peter Ludwig was always willing to answer questions about his life and ideals. Then the author spoke with people around this collector and entrepreneur. Among those I talked to were his ardent followers, calm observers, and sharp critics. Everyone told me their own stories about Peter Ludwig. Additionally, the author consulted the archives of the "Ludwig Foundation for Art and International Understanding" and other available media materials. I also visited the museums he sponsored and viewed the paintings there many times. The author's contact with Peter Ludwig was introduced by Hermann Strasser, and the author thanks him for the significant work he did to make this biography possible.