Luzern, Switzerland possesses one of the first Jesuit church's north of the Alps that would come to rival the John Calvin's Protestant church in Geneva, Switzerland. The construction of Saint Francis Xavier began on December 3, 1666 and ended in August of 1677. It is Baroque in style and it symbolizes the establishment of Catholic leadership during the Counter-Reformation in the 17th century. The Baroque style of the church portrays the power and glory related to Catholic tradition through the veneration of saints and visual culture. The Jesuit church logically fits in Luzern because it was seen as the capital of Catholic thought.
Although the interior artist is unknown, several names such as Michael Beer and Christoph Vogler are mentioned. However, Heinrich Mayer is said to be the prime contractor and artist of the church's interior. The church is embellished with gleaming white and coral ornamentation. One of the focal points in the church is the stucco and plaster altar found at the front of the church. Another of the church's main attractions, is the ceiling that is made from stucco and depicts “The Glory of Saint Francis Xavier”.The painting is significant as it shows the struggle between arising Protestantism and traditional Catholicism. The Jesuit Church of St. Francis Xavier binds together the ideas of tradition and reformation. Many of the scenes on the ceiling are surrounded by architectural features called structures, which help to elevate the tension within the religious frescoes by their delicate design. Originating in antiquity their purpose is to deceive the viewer's eye and graciously blend the architectural features of the church with the fresco's details. Another purpose of structures were to mask or armor the inside of buildings.This gives the appearance of a raised piece of art. While the design and decoration of the church focus on elegance and cohesion, it goes directly against the spiritual contradictions that were experienced throughout Switzerland because of the Counter Reformation.
SOURCES:
*http://lucerne.all-about-switzerland.info/lucerne-jesuitchurch.html
**http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/jesuitenkirche-jesuit-church-luzern.html
***http://www.manresa-sj.org/stamps/2_Switzerland.htm
**** http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuc
*http://lucerne.all-about-switzerland.info/lucerne-jesuitchurch.html
**http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/jesuitenkirche-jesuit-church-luzern.html
***http://www.manresa-sj.org/stamps/2_Switzerland.htm
**** http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuc