Artwork
St Cecilia at the Organ.
St Cecilia at the Organ. is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Carlo Dolci. It dates from 1671 and is held in the collection of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.
About this work
Overview
St Cecilia at the Organ is a 1671 oil painting by Carlo Dolci, a Florentine Baroque artist renowned for his detailed religious works. The piece is housed in the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts St Cecilia, the patron saint of music, in a serene devotional setting. Her contemplative pose, with hands poised over the organ keys and eyes cast downward, conveys a sense of quiet reflection.
Technique & Style
Characterized by Dolci's meticulous finish, the work features intricate details such as the ornate organ with dark, richly carved wood and the subject's flowing attire, all rendered in oil paint.
History & Provenance
Created in 1671 during the early Baroque period, the painting is part of the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister's collection, highlighting its significance within the Baroque artistic movement.
Context
As a religious work, St Cecilia at the Organ reflects the Baroque emphasis on emotive, personal devotion, inviting viewers into a peaceful, introspective atmosphere.
Artist & collection
Artist
Carlo (or Carlino) Dolci (25 May 1616 – 17 January 1686) was an Italian Baroque painter active mainly in Florence, known for highly finished religious pictures, often repeated in many versions.
