Death of Francesco Francia, in front of the "Saint Cecilia" of Raffaello Sanzio

In a dark, vaulted studio, the elderly painter Francesco Francia falls backward into the arms of his students, overcome by the divine perfection of the newly unrated altarpiece on the right. Raphael's 'Saint Cecilia' is shown in profile, depicting the saint discarding her earthly musical instruments to hear the music of the spheres. The room is filled with classical busts, canvases, and painting tools, all illuminated by a high window on the left.

This painting illustrates a legend from Giorgio Vasari's 'Lives of the Artists,' symbolizing the Renaissance cult of the 'divine artist' whose works possess supernatural power. It specifically references the Neoplatonic theme within the Saint Cecilia painting: the transition from lower, terrestrial music to the higher, intellectual harmony of the divine.