Master Art

Dressed as a pilgrim in sandals and cloak, holding an ivory staff, accompanied by his dog, supported by an oval base, encircled by a band of diamonds, the top enamelled in colour with various flowers, the base with black and white foliage.
As a very young man, St Roch (1350-80) born in Montpellier, having given all his money to the poor was rescued from illness and starvation by a dog who became his constant companion. Until his early death he won admiration for his work in public hospitals where he cured many by prayer and contact. Thereafter his cult spread and his name was invoked throughout Spain, France, Germany and Italy to avert the plague, and especially so in the 17th century. The hospital attached to his burial chapel in Venice was decorated by Tintoretto.