Niklaus Manuel was a Swiss dramaturg, painter

Painting

Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...

, engraver and statesman.

Biography

He was a gifted artist who made highly realistic etchings and became known locally for his satirical plays. He became known internationally as a friend of Huldrych Zwingli

Huldrych Zwingli

Ulrich Zwingli was a leader of the Reformation in Switzerland. Born during a time of emerging Swiss patriotism and increasing criticism of the Swiss mercenary system, he attended the University of Vienna and the University of Basel, a scholarly centre of humanism...

 from his teenage years and a strong supporter of the Protestant Reformation

Protestant Reformation

The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...

. In Bern, he campaigned for the reformed cause with Berchtold Haller

Berchtold Haller

Berchtold Haller was a German protestant reformer born at Aldingen in Württemberg. He was the reformer of the city of Bern, Switzerland....

, the priest at St Vincent Münster

Münster of Berne

The Münster of Bern is the Gothic cathedral in the old city of Bern, Switzerland. Construction started in 1421. Its tower, with a height of , was only completed in 1893...

. After a disputation meeting with four hundred and fifty persons participating, including pastors from Bern and other cantons, theologians from outside the Confederation such as Martin Bucer

Martin Bucer

Martin Bucer was a Protestant reformer based in Strasbourg who influenced Lutheran, Calvinist, and Anglican doctrines and practices. Bucer was originally a member of the Dominican Order, but after meeting and being influenced by Martin Luther in 1518 he arranged for his monastic vows to be annulled...

 and Wolfgang Capito from Strasbourg

Strasbourg

Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...

, Ambrosius Blarer

Ambrosius Blarer

Ambrosius Blarer was an influential reformer in southern Germany and north-eastern Switzerland.-Early life:...

 from Constance

Konstanz

Konstanz is a university city with approximately 80,000 inhabitants located at the western end of Lake Constance in the south-west corner of Germany, bordering Switzerland. The city houses the University of Konstanz.-Location:...

, and Andreas Althamer

Andreas Althamer

Andreas Althamer was a German humanist and reformer. He was born in Brenz. He studied at the universities of Leipzig and Tübingen. After completing his studies, he became a schoolteacher in Halle , Schwäbisch Hall and Reutlingen. In 1524, he was a priest in Schwäbisch Gmünd, where he tried to...

 from Nürnberg, Bern counted itself as a canton of the Reformation. John Eck and John Fabri (1487–1541) as opponents of Martin Luther

Martin Luther

Martin Luther was a German priest, professor of theology and iconic figure of the Protestant Reformation. He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God's punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He confronted indulgence salesman Johann Tetzel with his Ninety-Five Theses in 1517...

had been invited to dispute their cause but refused to attend and the Catholic cantons did not send representatives. The meeting started on 6 January 1528 and lasted nearly three weeks. Zwingli assumed the main burden of defending the Reformation and he preached twice in the Münster. On 7 February 1528 the council decreed that the Reformation was established in Bern.

Literary Work

• Vom Papst und Christi Gegensatz. 1522 (Drama)
• Ein hübsch neu Lied und Verantwortung des Sturms halb beschehen zu Pigogga. 1524
• Vom Papst und seiner Priesterschaft. 1524 (Schauspiel)
• Der Ablasskrämer. 1525 (Schauspiel)
• Barbali. 1526
• Fabers und Eggen Badenfahrt. 1526 (Poem)
• Krankheit und Testament der Messe. 1528 (Satire)
• Ein neu hübsch Spiel von Elsli Tragdenknaben. 1529