He was the son of Henriette Amilie (née Wölher 1795–1826) and Johann August Ludovici, (1789–1872).

After living in Chemnitz until 1843, he moved to Paris, where he studied at the "Atelier Drölling" and was a contemporary of the well-known artist Jean-Jacques Henner.

Within two years he had established himself as a successful portrait painter and was able to return to Paris in 1850 to marry Caroline Grenier (1822–1893) and bring her back to England with him.

Ludovici had a long and established career, often exhibiting at the Royal Society of British Artists, where he was at one point treasurer.

Albert Sr. was the Grandfather of Anthony M Ludovici, who although also a talented painter, chose writing as a career.