Weimar Saxon-Grand Ducal Art School
His parents were the Grand Ducal diplomat Karl von Schlitz and Princess Anna of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg (1827–1902). His studies began at the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich, under the sculptor Joseph Echteler. He assumed the title of "Graf" (Count) upon his father's death. From 1885 to 1901, he was Director of the Weimar Saxon-Grand Ducal Art School. In 1894, he founded a pension and annuity association for German artists.