St. Roch
with the Van Merle Family Arms and a Donor
Cologne, ca. 1510
Pot metal, white glass, vitreous paint, silver stain
Metropolitan
Museum of Art, New York
The dog can be seen at the bottom right, behind St. Roch's cape, with
the loaf in its mouth. The angel is peeking around the screen on the
left behind the patron. The inscription on his halo is S[AN]C[TU]S
ROCHVS CO[N]FESSOR, "St. Roch the Confessor." The symbols on his hat
are (on the left) the crossed keys and tiara of the papacy, referring
to pilgrimage to Rome, and (on the right) crossed swords. The
blackbirds (French merles) on
the crest are a punning reference to the family's name.
More of St. Roch
Photographed at the
site by Richard Stracke