Saint Romedius c. early 16th century

This bronze plaquette of Saint Romedius was made by Ulocrino, an Italian artist who died in 1560. It shows the saint, known for his solitary life in the mountains, accompanied by a bear turned lion. The image of a saint alongside a tamed wild animal was a common trope in Renaissance Italy. Often these images were tied to specific political or cultural meanings within the communities that commissioned them. In this case, Romedius's legendary ability to tame wild beasts can be understood in relation to his choice to live in the wilderness as a hermit. As such, it is about the individual’s separation from society. At the same time, the plaquette is an object made for exchange and likely devotional use. The politics of imagery in the Renaissance are complex, but by studying the social conditions that shaped their production, we can better understand the role of art in public life at that time. Resources such as period documents can help in understanding how the art world relates to wider society.