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Original fileThe Ecstasy of Saint Cecilia
The Ecstasy of Saint Cecilia title QS:P1476,en:"The Ecstasy of Saint Cecilia "label QS:Len,"The Ecstasy of Saint Cecilia "label QS:Lit,"Estasi di santa Cecilia"label QS:Lfr,"L'Extase de sainte Cécile"label QS:Lde,"Die Verzückung der Heiligen Cäcilia"label QS:Lpt,"O Êxtase de Santa Cecília"label QS:Lzh,"聖則濟利亞的狂喜"label QS:Lsl,"Zamaknjenje sv. Cecilije"label QS:Lja,"聖チェチリアの法悦 (ラファエロ)"label QS:Larz,"نشوه القديسه سيسيليا"label QS:Lpl,"Ekstaza Świętej Cecylii"label QS:Lml,"ദി എക്സ്റ്റസി ഓഫ് സെന്റ് സിസിലിയ"label QS:Lnl,"The Ecstasy of St. Cecilia"label QS:Les,"El éxtasis de Santa Cecilia"label QS:Leo,"La ekstazo de Sankta Cecilia"label QS:Laz,"Müqəddəs Sisilyanın ekstazı"
About This Work
Saint Cecilia is shown in a moment of spiritual transport, abandoning her portable organ as its pipes slide from their frame. At her feet lie broken and scattered instruments, including a viol, flutes, and tambourines, signifying the inferiority of earthly music to divine harmony. Her companions remain in contemplative poses, contrasting their terrestrial presence with the golden vision of singing angels in the clouds above.
The painting represents the Renaissance Neoplatonic concept of the ascent of the soul from 'musica instrumentalis' (man-made sound) to 'musica mundana' (the harmony of the spheres). This transition from material discord to celestial unity reflects the philosophical influence of the Platonic Academy on High Renaissance iconography.