Church of St Mary of the Assumption, monks‘ choir
Location, Object
Village of Pfäfers, Canton of Sankt Gallen. Church of the former Benedictine monastery, now Catholic parish church of Saint Mary of the Assumption (Pfarr- und Klosterkirche Maria Himmelfahrt), built 1688–1694, renovated 1966–1972. Oil painting on south-eastern wall of the monks‘ choir. See the entry for Pfäfers (SG).
Emblems (2)
Context
Religious oil painting commemorating the martyrdom of the Italian priest Nicolò Rusca (1563–1618), whose remains were kept at Pfäfers Abbey from 1619 until 1845. The two emblems in rocaille cartouches are part of the elaborate iconography that combines hagiographical, allegorical and heraldic motifs.
Authorship, Date
Signature and date are illegible, but probably painted in 1619 or soon after.
Significance
Glorification of Nicolò Rusca’s martyrdom and holiness.
Source
Unidentified.
Literature
KF 1: 484.
oil painting commemorating the martyrdom of Nicolò Rusca.
Two columns break in the wind.
Frangimur non Flectimur.
Two sunflowers under the sky with sun, moon and stars.
Non ar […] d.
Added 2026. Photos taken by the author, May 2026.