Matthäus Günther

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Self-portrait by Günther in a fresco in the Rosary Chapel of the Augustinian Canonry in Markt Indersdorf
Self-portrait by Günther in a fresco in the Rosary Chapel of the Augustinian Canonry in Markt Indersdorf

Matthäus Günther (also Mathäus Günther) (* 7 September 1705 in Peissenberg (at that time: Tritschengreith); † 30 September 1788 in Haid near Wessobrunn) was an important German painter and artist of the Baroque and Rococo era.

Günther helped develop the rococo style of painting in Bavaria and Tyrol, working on over 40 churches. His known work includes about 70 frescoes and 25 panels. In particular, he was known for his life-like imagery and lively coloring.

Günther studied in Munich from 1723 to 1728 with Cosmas Damian Asam, the older of the two Asam brothers, and perfected his fresco painting in Augsburg. He frequently worked with some of the greatest artists of his time, including the architect Johann Michael Fischer and the plasterer Johann Michael Feuchtmayer and his brother Franz Xaver.

[edit] Major Works

Fresco (1755) with scenes of the Battle of Lepanto in the Augustinian Canonry in Markt Indersdorf
Fresco (1755) with scenes of the Battle of Lepanto in the Augustinian Canonry in Markt Indersdorf
Dome fresco in the Benedictine Abbey Church of St. Marinus and St. Anianus in Rott am Inn
Dome fresco in the Benedictine Abbey Church of St. Marinus and St. Anianus in Rott am Inn

[edit] Bavaria

[edit] Tyrol

  • Fieberbrunn—Chapel of Johann Nepomuk (frescoes) (1762)
  • FiechtCollegiate Church of St. Josef (frescoes) (1740–1744)
  • Götzens—Parish Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul (dome frescoes of lives of Peter and Paul) (1775)
  • Grins—Parish Church of St. Nikolaus (stucco and ceiling paintings) (1779)
  • Innsbruck—Chapel of Schloss Mentelberg (stucco and ceiling paintings)
  • Innsbruck—Wilten Basilica (1754) (ceiling frescoes) (1770)
  • Rattenberg—Parish Church of St. Virgil (ceiling frescoes and fresco in the sacristy) (1736)