SwissArtGallery · Documented identity
Ludwig Koch, an Austrian painter, sculptor and illustrator born and deceased in Vienna, devoted a significant part of his work to horses and military history, while also depicting Viennese life and the imperial family. Trained at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna from 1883 to 1891 under Siegmund L’Allemand and August Eisenmenger, he presented a historical scene at the city’s annual exhibition as early as 1891, depicting the baptism of fire of the Windisch-Graetz Dragoon Regiment at the Battle of Kolin. His interest in the equestrian world is also evident in his extended attendance at the Spanish Riding School, where he depicted, among other things, airs above the ground, as well as in his landscape illustrations and the many equestrian books to which he contributed.
During the First World War, a series of portraits in the uniform of the Austro-Hungarian army was reproduced as postcards. Appointed war artist on the south-western front in July 1915, following Italy’s entry into the conflict, Koch had to withdraw in the autumn due to kidney disease. After the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, he continued to paint the former army and also depicted the uniforms of the Bundesheer of the First Republic of Austria.
Several works held at the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum in Vienna attest to this attention to military figures: the 1909 equestrian portrait of Maximilian von Rodakowski at the head of the uhlans at the Battle of Custoza; the 1913 portrait of Friedrich von Beck-Rzikowsky; and the 1925 depiction of Alexander von Brosch-Aarenau at the head of the Second Tyrolean Kaiserjäger Regiment. Koch was also a member of the Siebener Club, an association of artists composed mainly of architects. A gouache and pencil work entitled “Porträt einer Preisreiterin zu Pferd”, signed and dated 1925 according to the sale notice, bears an inscription relating to an equestrian competition and measures 45 × 35 cm.
This profile brings together identity references for Ludwig Koch and paintings, drawings and works on paper documented in auction catalogues.
2 references are documented at Dobiaschofsky, Zofingen. Each record links to its source; the amounts are not a general valuation of the artist’s work.
Watercolour and pencil on paper
Morgen-Arbeit
Aquarell und Bleistift auf Papier
Catalogue period : 2025-06-07
Published result : 340 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 250
View the lot at the auction house ↗Gouache
Porträt einer Preisreiterin zu Pferd.
gouache
Date to be documented
Published result : 950 CHF
Fees not specified in the available data
Estimate : CHF 1200
View the lot at the auction house ↗SwissArtGallery documentary note based on the cited sources. Titles, media and qualifications are provided in the profile language; the original catalogue wording remains available in each record.
Documentation updated : 2026-10-19
