Saint Cecilia by Raphael in Pushkin museum (2016) by shakko

The saint holds a small pipe organ from which several pipes are falling, signaling her abandonment of earthly music. At her feet lies a heap of broken and discarded musical instruments, including a viola da gamba, cymbals, and flutes. The surrounding saints appear in deep contemplation or gaze toward the viewer, while Cecilia’s attention is fixed entirely on the divine harmony appearing in the clouds above.

This painting is a primary visual expression of Renaissance Neoplatonism, specifically the transition from earthly, sensible beauty to celestial, intelligible harmony. It illustrates the hierarchy of music—moving from 'musica instrumentalis' (earthly instruments) to the 'music of the spheres'—a concept central to the intellectual circles of Marsilio Ficino and his successors.