Who painted The Village Wedding: Her Gregorius Mercz?

The Village Wedding: Her Gregorius Mercz was painted by Sebald Beham in 1546.

Where can I see The Village Wedding: Her Gregorius Mercz?

The Village Wedding: Her Gregorius Mercz is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Village Wedding: Her Gregorius Mercz?

The Village Wedding: Her Gregorius Mercz is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Village Wedding: Her Gregorius Mercz

Sebald Beham , 1546

The Village Wedding: Her Gregorius Mercz is a print by the Renaissance artist Sebald Beham. It dates from 1546 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1546 by Hans Sebald Beham, this small copperplate print presents a compact, bustling tableau of a countryside wedding. The composition is tightly packed, showing four figures in traditional dress, each rendered with the meticulous precision for which Beham, a member of the so‑called “Little Masters,” was celebrated.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures a rustic nuptial ceremony, with two women flanking the central couple. One male figure carries a staff, while the other sports a feathered hat and a sword, suggesting a blend of celebratory and martial motifs common in 16th‑century German genre imagery. The inscription of two names at the top may identify the bride and groom.

Technique & Style

Executed as an engraving, the work exemplifies Beham’s characteristic fine line work and dense hatching, which convey texture in the uneven ground and the folds of the period costumes. The print’s diminutive size and high level of detail align it with the “Little Masters” tradition of producing intricate, collectible prints for a discerning market.

History & Provenance

Born in Nuremberg, Beham later established his practice in Frankfurt, where he produced a series of genre scenes and illustrative prints. The piece bears his monogram “HS B,” confirming authorship. It now belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed alongside other works of the German Renaissance printmaking school.