He was born at Nuremberg, and a pupil of Heideloff. He painted chiefly in watercolors and etched numerous architectural views of Nuremberg and some subjects from North Italy. He died in Nuremberg.

His older brother, Paul Ritter, was also a painter.

• This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Gilman, D. C.; Peck, H. T.; Colby, F. M., eds. (1905). "Ritter, Paul" . New International Encyclopedia (1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead.