Matthias Grünewald (1475-1528) whose real name was Mathis Gothart, called Nithart or Neithardt, was a major figure in a generation of great northern german Renaissance painters that also included Albrecht Dürer, Lucas Cranach and Albrecht Altdorfer.
Grünewald remained relatively unknown until the 20th century; only about 13 of his paintings and some drawings survive.
His present worldwide reputation, however, is based chiefly on his greatest masterpiece, the Isenheim Altarpiece c.1513-15, which was long believed to have been painted by Dürer.