Ringgli, Gotthard

Ringgli, Gotthard, an excellent Swiss artist, was born at Zurich, Jan. 27, 1575. Of his early life, education, and progress we are not informed. He was chosen by the magistracy of Berne to decorate with paintings of large size the senate house and minster of that metropolis, and had the freedom of the city conferred on him. For the public library of Zurich he painted the arms of the state and its dependencies, supported by Religion and Liberty. Death lies at the feet of Religion, but to the usual allegorical implements in her hands he added a bridle, to distinguish her from Fanaticism and Superstition. One of the most remarkable of his easel pictures, in the house of Werdmuller, is Job Listening to his Wife's Invectives. Perhaps his most valuable remains arc designs, generally drawn with a pen and washed with India ink. Among these are Our Savior's Burial: — Susannah with the Elders: — Faith Sheltered from Persecution. He died in 1635.