Mrs. Billington (1765/1768-1818) as Saint Cecilia
Romney, George (1734-1802)
- Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
[Museum inv. no.: 23.397]
Item location
Description
Portrait of the famous singer, posed as Saint Cecilia, dressed in a white gown and veil, seated next to a partially visible fortepiano (lid raised), her right hand gesturing upward, her eyes focusing heavenward, and her left hand holding a rolled document. Commentary from museum website:Elizabeth Weichsel, “the ablest singer of her day and the richest professional woman in Europe,” married John Billington, a double bass player, in 1783. The most celebrated diva of the age, she was also among the most notorious, rumors being rife about her scandalous private life. Romney depicts her as Saint Cecilia, patron saint of music, probably at the singer’s request. She seems never to have collected the painting, and the fact that she commissioned the same subject from Reynolds the following year suggests she did not like Romney’s version.
People as subjects
Billington, Elizabeth (ca. 1765-1818) (Musician portrait)Iconclass
61B2(ELIZABETH BILLINGTON)historical person (ELIZABETH BILLINGTON)
48C75512
female singer
11HH(CECILIA)11
St. Cecilia as patroness of music
48C8313
portrait of opera-singer
Instruments [MIMO Code] (notes)
Pianoforte [2299]RIdIM images
