About Matthias Gerung
Lived 1500 – 1570. Matthias Gerung was a German illuminator, painter, printmaker, xylographer, miniaturist and artist.
Matthias Gerung or, in older literature, Mathias Geron (c. 1500, Nördlingen – 1570, Lauingen), was a German painter and woodcut artist.
Biography He was probably the son of a violinist known as "Shoemaker" Matthias (?–1521) and may have studied painting with Hans Leonhard Schäufelin. Earlier sources indicate that he also studied with Hans Burgkmair. In 1525, he moved to Lauingen in the Duchy of Pfalz-Neuburg. He then married Anna Reiser, who was likely the daughter of Matthes Reiser (?–c.1519); also a painter. Gerung may have moved there to take over his workshop. He and Anna had two sons, Ambrosius and Hans, who became a goldsmith.
In 1530–31, he carried out several commissions for Otto Henry, Elector Palatine, including wallpaper design at Schloss Neuburg, the production of genealogical tapestries and the creation of illustrations for what has come to be known as the , one of the most valuable medieval manuscripts in existence. The Bible had been started almost 100 years earlier and he added 117 illustrations.
He appears once again in the tax lists for 1568, where he is also described as a constable and siegler (a type of notary).
His detailed panel paintings provide a wealth of information about life in 16th century Germany. In addition to his clearly attributable works, he is also believed to have created several satirical pieces that criticized the Catholic Church and the Papacy.
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Mathias Gerung, Mattis Geron, Mathis Geron, GerungPeople in Matthias Gerung's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Matthias Gerung?
German illuminator and painter (1500-1570)
When was Matthias Gerung born?
Matthias Gerung was born in 1500 in Nördlingen.
When did Matthias Gerung die?
Matthias Gerung died in 1570 in Lauingen.
What was Matthias Gerung's occupation?
Matthias Gerung was an illuminator, painter, printmaker, xylographer, miniaturist and artist.
What nationality was Matthias Gerung?
Matthias Gerung was German.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Matthias Gerung. https://biography.guide/matthias-gerung/
MLA: "Matthias Gerung." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/matthias-gerung/.
Chicago: "Matthias Gerung." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/matthias-gerung/.
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