Location
Austria, Styria, Graz
Church Fourteen Helpers in Time of Need (Vierzehn-Nothelfer-Kirche)
Eggenberg
Original location:
Austria, Styria, Graz
Infirmary of the monastery of the order of the Brothers of Mercy (Spital der Barmherzigen Brüder, Bergstraße 27)
Artwork
The sculptures of St Richard and St Florian in front of the North Tower of the church Fourteen Helpers in Time of Need in Graz
Type
Sculptural group
Inscriptions
- ST. RICHARTUS (on the plinth)
- ST. FLORIANUS (on the plinth)
- DISE/ZWEI/STATUEN/FLORIAN UND/RICHARTUS/HAD SETZEN/LASN DER/HER RICHART/US SEPAHER/FRAU SUSANA/SEPAHERIN/BURGERLIGE/BREI MESSTER/ANO/1770 (on the pedestal of St Richard)
Critical History
The church was built in 1680 by John Anthony II Joseph of Eggenberg and it is characterised by its short nave and its mirrored vault.1 In front of the North Tower (left and right beside the entrance) there are the statues of St Richard and St Florian. They are standing on rectangular pedestals, from which one shows an inscription that refers to their orderer Richard Seebacher (“Richartus Sepaher”). The sculpture of St Richard appears very vivacious what is illustrated not only by the expressive free leg, but also by the stole, which is following the movement. The drapery was executed in a very detailed manner, also the face shows delicate features. The statue of St Florian appears in a stiffer position. The right hand holds the flag pole, the left one pours water out of a bucket. The face is dominated by a large and straight nose, a slight smile on his mouth. According to Horst Schweigert, the sculptures are attributable to the artist’s late style, which began about 1760.2
Construction / Execution
The sculptures are made of carved sandstone. The measurements are: St Florian H 159 cm, W 69 cm, D 58 cm (pedestal H 88 cm), St Richard H 160 cm, W 71 cm, D 47 cm (pedestal H 88 cm).
Comment
In 1950, the sculptures were handed over from the infirmary of the monastery of the order of the Brothers of Mercy to their present location.3
Conservation-restoration
- 2018
Treatment Description
The surface is partially smoothened due to strong weathering. Lichen-growth is visible.
Images
- The statue of St Richard in front of the North Tower of the church Fourteen Helpers in Time of Need, Graz (photo by Anja Lindbichler, 2018)
- St Richard, detail, church Fourteen Helpers in Time of Need, Graz (photo by Anja Lindbichler, 2018)
- Pedestal, detail, St Richard, church Fourteen Helpers in Time of Need, Graz (photo by Anja Lindbichler, 2018)
- St Florian in front of the North Tower of the church Fourteen Helpers in Time of Need, Graz (photo by Anja Lindbichler, 2018)
- St Florian, detail, church Fourteen Helpers in Time of Need, Graz (photo by Anja Lindbichler, 2018)
- St Florian, detail, church Fourteen Helpers in Time of Need, Graz (photo by Anja Lindbichler, 2018)
Catalogue entry prepared by Eva Klein and Christina Pichler
Recommended citation: Eva Klein and Christina Pichler, The sculptures of St Richard and St Florian in front of the North Tower of the church Fourteen Helpers in Time of Need in Graz, in: TrArS – Tracing the Art of the Straub Family, 2018, (accessed 27/01/2026) URL
