Ludwig Corregio was the son of the painter Josef Correggio (1810-1891) and older brother of the painter Max Correggio (1854-1908). After taking painting lessons from his father, he studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Munich under Hermann Anschütz from 21 October 1861. After completing his studies, he travelled to Tyrol, Styria and Italy. He was friends with Wilhelm Leibl, of whom he painted a bust portrait.