Church of St Nicholas
Location, Object
Village of Herznach, district of Laufenburg, Canton of Aargau. Roman Catholic church of St Nicholas (Pfarrkirche St. Nikolaus), built 1691–1692 (nave) and 1718–1719 (choir); renovated 1969–1970 and 1984. Richly stuccoed and decorated interior, including oval double-walled choir with gallery arcades and paintings by Francesco Antonio Giorgioli, shortly after 1720, showing scenes of the life and death of St Nicholas of Myra
and emblems.
Emblems (10)
Context
The monochrome (grisaille) emblems in oval stucco frames are beneath the cornice of the vaulted choir and accompany the central scenes of the death and apotheosis of St Nicholas. There are five emblems on either side; nos. 5 and 6 are behind the decorations of the high altar. The middle oval on the transverse arch shows the coat of arms of the Augustinian monastery of Rheinfelden.
Authorship, Date
Attributed to Francesco Antonio Giorgioli (1655–1725) of Lugano, shortly after 1720; renovated 1970. Giorgioli also painted the emblems in Pfäfers (SG), Schneisingen (AG), and Willisau (LU), Castle.
Significance
Glorification of St Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of the church.
Source
All except no. 5 from Picinelli/Erath 1681 or a later edition. Emblems nos. 1–4, 8 and 9 also occur in Graff 1700 and are applied to Nicholas of Myra (Graff’s source is Picinelli/Erath).
Literature
KdS AG 10: 39–40, 298–314; KF 1: 159–160; Keller-Schweizer 1972: 125–129 and 201–202; Graf 1974: 164; Felder 1985: 7–8; Piffaretti 1998: 159–164.
exterior from north-west.
exterior from south-east.
interior, view from nave to choir.
choir, high altar and emblems nos. 4 and 6 (partly hidden).
choir, fresco (death and apotheosis of St Nicholas) with emblems beneath the cornice.
view from nave to choir with emblems nos. 2, 3 and 4.
view from choir with coat of arms (left) and emblems nos. 1 (middle) and 2 (right).
view from choir with emblems nos. 10 (left), 9 (middle) and coat of arms (right).
choir, frescoed gallery arcades (left side) and emblems nos. 2, 3 and 4.
choir, frescoed gallery arcades (right side) and emblems nos. 7, 8 and 9.
A bird of paradise.
TERRÆ COMMERCIA NESCIT.
A dolphin.
VISCERA FELLE CARENT.
A songbird in a garden.
PERPETUO SONITU.
A pomegranate.
QUOD HABEO LARGIOR.
The rising sun.
PULCHRA IN ORTU.
An eagle.
INEDIA ALBESCIT.
A burning candle.
A CALORE CANDOR.
A beehive with bees.
NATURA MITIS [Ovid, Her. 14.55].
A church bell.
ERRANTES REVOCANT.
A fire.
SEMPER SURSUM.
Copyright note: Added 2016; revised 2026. All photos taken by the author, July 2013. Floor plan reproduced from Felder 1985: 4.