Franz Xaver Weidinger was born in Ried in 1890. He initially learned his trade as a house painter in Ried and Munich. Subsequently, he attended Salzburg school of arts and crafts and studied at the Vienna and Dresden academies. He had no fixed abode for some time. After spending years of hardship as a student, he wandered around aimlessly. Portrait commissions enabled him to spend longer periods in great homes. His experiences are thought to have inspired him to found an artists’ association in his home country. Despite his long travels, his works focus almost exclusively on his homeland of Upper Austria. He captures its mood in hazy watercolours and oil paintings reminiscent of the old masters. His works were recognised through numerous prizes and awards. Weidinger was President of the Upper Austria Art Association from 1928 to 1933.

He died in Bad Ischl in 1972.