Saint Cecilia (1895), by J.W. WaterhouseThe fascination that Waterhouse had with women in poetry, pe
Saint Cecilia (1895), by J.W. WaterhouseThe fascination that Waterhouse had with women in poetry, persisted in this painting of Saint Cecilia. The scene is based on the following strophe:“In a clear walled city on the sea, Near gilded organ pipes … slept Saint Cecily.”It originates from Tennyson’s poem “The Palace of Art” (first published in 1832, revised in 1842).The beautifully illustrated songbook on her lap, the scenery with many flowers and the two angels appearing in her sleep, create a very romantic and peaceful atmosphere. This, together with the extensive use of bright colours, makes it very much a Pre-Raphaelite painting. It was bought by Andrew Lloyd Webber in 2008. -- source link
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