Nikolaus Karl Eduard Schmidt von der Launitz, born in 1797 in Grobin, was a well-known German sculptor and art historian. Despite initially studying law as per his guardian's wishes, von der Launitz's passion for art led him to abandon university and move to Rome, becoming a student of the celebrated sculptor, Bertel Thorvaldsen.
His first independent work was a funerary relief for his brother Georg, who fell at Leipzig. Later, he moved to Russia in 1822 to erect monuments commissioned by Tsar Alexander, but the plans were cut short due to the Tsar's death. Returning to Rome, he married Francesca Ferreri and started a terracotta factory producing architectural ornaments. However, a series of personal tragedies in 1829, including the death of his son and wife, prompted him to return to Germany.
Von der Launitz settled in Frankfurt am Main, where he taught at the Städelsches Kunstinstitut and the Kunstakademie in Düsseldorf. His art historical lectures attracted a broad audience, and he also published numerous art historical essays.
In 1839, he married Therese von Soiron, with whom he had a daughter, Luise. Following Therese's death in 1861, von der Launitz's artistic output diminished, but he continued his successful teaching career. He died away in 1869, and is buried in the main cemetery in Frankfurt, where many of his works are also located, including the Reichenbach-Lessonitz mausoleum.