Saint Cecilia

Cavallino, Bernardo (born 1616 or 1622, died 1654 or 1656)

Item type:

painting

Date of creation:

ca. 1645

Height:

92.7 cm  (36 1/2 in.)

Width:

74.3 cm  (29 1/4 in.)

Technique / Medium:

oil on canvas

Description

This painting depicts St. Cecilia playing a violin while looking toward a book (presumably a music score) that lies open on what may be a closed keyboard instrument.

Commentary from museum website: Cavallino painted about twenty single-figure religious and allegorical “portraits.” Music was a favorite subject: five of these works depict musicians, including three of Cecilia, their patron saint. Like many artists of his generation, Cavallino used light and shadow to enhance the composition’s drama. His clever depiction of Cecilia’s crimson gown unfurling into the background provides a lyrical, visual interpretation of the tune ushering forth from her violin.

People as subjects

St. Cecilia (Musician)

Iconclass

48C7521
one person playing string instrument (bowed)
11HH(CECILIA)111
St. Cecilia making music and/or singing

Instruments [MIMO Code] (notes)

Violin [3573] (with curved bow)
Harpsichord [2251] (partially visible; case closed)

RIdIM images

Image URLs

image link 1

RIdIM record id

5891