On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P02317
- Author
- Poussin, Nicholas (French)
- Title
- Saint Cecile
- Chronology
- Ca. 1635
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 117,8 cm x 89 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
The virgin and martyr, Saint
Cecile, has been venerated since
Christian Antiquity. Since the
sixteenth century, she has been
considered the patron saint of
music because, according to legend,
while musicians played at her
wedding, her heart sang only for
God after she took her vow of
chastity.
The saint is usually depicted with
a musical instrument, or at the
moment of her martyrdom, when an
executioner unsuccessfully tried to
decapitate her.
The technique, composition and
color of this work reflect the
Venetian painting's influence on
Poussin's work. This painting was
previously attributed to one of his
collaborators, the French painter,
Charles Mellin (1597-1649).
Location on the map
