Who painted St Cecilia?

St Cecilia was painted by Unknown in 1450.

Where can I see St Cecilia?

St Cecilia is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

St Cecilia

St Cecilia is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1450 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. Created around 1450, this panel attributed to the artist known as 1866_person is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1450, this panel attributed to the artist known as 1866_person is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The composition centers on a female figure holding a musical instrument, set beneath a cloudy sky and surrounded by several other figures, some bearing a staff and a sword.

Subject & Meaning

The central woman is identified as St. Cecilia, the patron saint of music, traditionally shown with an instrument. The surrounding figures, possibly saints or angels, accompany her, suggesting a devotional scene that emphasizes her role as a heavenly musician.

Technique & Style

The work displays the early Renaissance approach to figure grouping and spatial depth, with a muted palette and careful rendering of drapery. The cloudy background provides a modest atmospheric perspective, while the instruments and symbolic objects are rendered with attention to detail.

History & Provenance

Attributed to 1866_person, the painting dates to the mid‑15th century and has been in the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings for an unspecified period. No further documentation of its ownership before entering the museum is provided.

Context

St. Cecilia was a popular subject in medieval and Renaissance art, reflecting the growing association between sacred music and liturgical practice. This depiction aligns with contemporary iconography, where the saint is shown actively engaged with a musical instrument, surrounded by attendant figures that reinforce her sanctified status.