Thalinger was born on March 20, 1885, in Riquewihr, Alsace-Lorraine, France.
His family emigrated to the United States where he studied at the St. Louis School of Fine Arts.
[1] Thalinger worked as the registrar for the Saint Louis Art Museum from 1913 through 1952.
He also assisted Thomas Hart Benton with his classes at the colony.
[3] In 1933 Thalinger was included in the exhibition Painting and Sculpture from 16 American Cities at The Museum of Modern Art.