Collegiate Church of Saint Leodegar and Saint Maurice
Location, Object
Lucerne (Luzern), Canton of Lucerne. Collegiate Church of Saint Leodegar and Saint Maurice (Hofkirche St. Leodegar und Mauritius). Built and decorated 1633–1644; renovated 1740/60, including side altars (1742–1745). Interior and altars last restored 2000–2001.
Emblems (15)
Context
Side altars (1640–1644, renovated 1740/60) at the end of the northern and southern side aisles (emblems nos. 1–12) and on the pillars at the eastern end of the nave (emblems nos. 13 & 14): Mensas with scagliola (stucco marble) frontals with ornaments and central emblem.
Authorship, Date
Josef Businger (local plasterer), 1742–1745; donated by the local confraternity of the Virgin Mary.
Significance
Glorification of the saints and martyrs depicted in the earlier altar retables.
Source
Unidentified.
Literature
KdS LU 2: 162–168; Kdm LU 6: 310–311, 479–481; KF 1: 228–229; Graf 1974: 160, 164; Brentini 1992: 15–19; Carlen/Tobler 2002.
exterior from south-west.
exterior from north.
interior from entrance (south-west)
side altars (1639/43) with emblematic decorations (1742/45),
side altars (1639/43) with emblematic decorations (1742/45),
side altars of St Andrew (left), the Virgin Mary (centre) and St Maurice (right) with emblems nos. 2–6.
side altars of St Leodegar (left), the Pietà (centre) and St Benedict (right) with emblems nos. 8–12.
altar of St Catherine of Alexandria with emblem no. 1.
A lightning bolt striking from a cloud a half-broken cogwheel lying out in the open.
VOX TONITRUI TUI IN ROTA [Ps 76.19].
altar of St Andrew with emblem no. 2.
A crown and a diagonal cross with two palm branches tied together.
[no motto].
altar of the Virgin Mary with emblems nos. 3, 4 and 5.
A heart with the monogram of Mary (IMR) on a cloud, and an altar with the Christogram (IHS), two burning candles and a chalice with the Host. Above, the triangular symbol of the Trinity, from which a ray of light falls upon the heart and thence upon the Host.
ET VERBUM CARO FACTUM EST [John 1.14].
altar of the Virgin Mary with emblems nos. 3, 4 and 5.
Flames issuing from a heart on a cloud bearing the Christogram (IHS) and kindling a torch set in a heart bearing the monogram of Mary (MR); on either side, two crossed and bound torches, their burning ends pointing downwards and upwards respectively.
FORTIS UT MORS DILECTIO [Song 8.6].
altar of the Virgin Mary with emblems nos. 3, 4 and 5.
Tears flowing from a pair of eyes onto two hands.
LAVABO INTER INNOCENTES [Ps 25.6].
altar of St Maurice with emblem no. 6.
On a radiant disc, the Christogram (IHS) with a cross, its letters joined by long flourishes.
QUIS NOS SEPARABIT [Rom 8.35].
altar of the Holy Cross with emblem no. 7.
A radiant cross between an altar with Christogram, candles, chalice and Host, and a military encampment with tents.
IN HOC VINCES [Eusebios of Caesarea, Vita Const. I,28].
altar of St Leodegar with emblem no. 8.
A hand emerging from a cloud piercing an eye with a drill; above, the triangular symbol of the Trinity with the Eye of God.
OCULUM PRO OCULO [Exod 21.24 etc.].
altar of the Pietà with emblems nos. 9, 10 and 11.
An open book on a cloud; on the pages can be read D. N. Iesu Christi and Evangelium.
PLENUM GRATIÆ ET VERITATIS [John 1.14].
altar of the Pietà with emblems nos. 9, 10 and 11.
The dove above Noah’s Ark on the water.
REVERSA VENIT AD VESPERAM [cf. Gen 8.9; 8.11].
altar of the Pietà with emblems nos. 9, 10 and 11.
An open book on a cloud; on the pages can be read hic est enim corpus meum.
ENARREM UNIVERSA MIRABILIA TUA [Ps 25.7].
altar of St Benedict with emblem no. 12.
A snake above a cup; beside it, on a cloud, a chalice with the Host.
MORS EST MALIS, VITA BONIS.
altar of St Christopher with emblem no. 13.
Amid flowers, a flaming heart bearing the Christogram (IHS).
PORTATE DEUM IN CORPORE VESTRO [1 Cor 6.20].
altar of St Henry with emblem no. 14.
On a cloud, a crown above the Crown of Thorns.
CORONA IUSTITIÆ [2 Tim 4.8].
altar of St Nicolas of Myra with emblem no. 15.
A hand placing alms on a plate on a table.
IN ABSCONDITO PONIT [Luke 11,33].
Copyright note: Added 2026. All photos taken by the author, May and July 2025. Floor plan adapted from Carlen/Tobler 2002: 70.