Chapel of the Holy Eucharist
Location, Object
Village of Willisau, Canton of Lucerne. Chapel of the Holy Eucharist (Heiligblut); built 1674–1675 (consecrated 1676); restored 1938–1940 and 1970. Frescoed choir with painted ornaments and emblems, dating to the building of the chapel; nave with painted wooden ceiling of 1854 showing biblical scenes (no emblems).
Emblems (6)
Context
Choir, groin vault with grisaille fresco decoration showing six monochrome emblems with Latin mottoes in richly ornamented frames, grouped around the central image of Christ as Fons vitae (no. 2). The picturae of nos. 1 & 6 have survived only in incomplete form.
Authorship, Date
Artist unknown; painted c. 1675.
Significance
Emblematic representation of the Holy Eucharist.
Source
Picinelli 1669 or a later edition. Nos. 2 & 3 are missing from the Italian first edition of 1653; the motto of no. 6 occurs in the chapter ‘croce’ (cross).
Literature
Kdm LU 5: 257–265; KF 1: 274; Graf 1974: 166.
exterior from south.
central view from entrance (south-east).
choir with painted groin vault.
choir, painted groin vault.
A man holding [a shield] against a demonic monster.
TERRITAT HOSTES.
Christ as fountain figure, from whose wounds blood flows into the basin.
ABLUIT AUT IRRIGAT.
A glass and a loaf of bread on a table.
PARIT AMICOS.
A hand holding a chalice.
ÆSTUANTI SUAVIOR.
A burning altar.
SOLI DEO.
[unclear; perhaps originally a cross.]
HINC SALUS.
Copyright note: Added 2012, revised 2026. All photos taken by the author, August 2011 (central view from entrance) and August 2026 (all other photos). Floor plan reproduced from Kdm LU 5: 259.