Saint Romedius c. early 16th century

Ulocrino created this bronze plaquette of Saint Romedius sometime between the late 15th and early 16th century. During the Renaissance, plaquettes like this one served as luxury items, often displayed in private collections to demonstrate the owner's refined taste and education. This particular plaquette depicts Saint Romedius, a nobleman who renounced his wealth to live as a hermit, embracing a life of solitude and religious devotion. Seated in a rocky landscape, Romedius is shown absorbed in his texts, while a bear—a symbol of the saint’s legendary taming of wild beasts—rests peacefully at his feet. Consider how Ulocrino, working within a society steeped in religious tradition, navigates the representation of faith and personal transformation. In choosing to depict Romedius not in a grand, opulent setting but in quiet contemplation amidst nature, the artist invites us to reflect on the intersection of spirituality and the natural world. The image evokes a sense of introspective peace, as Romedius seeks solace and enlightenment through scripture.