Artwork
The Martyrdom of St. Cecilia
The Martyrdom of St. Cecilia is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Carlo Saraceni. It dates from 1610 and is held in the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The Martyrdom of St.
About this work
Overview
The Martyrdom of St. Cecilia is a 1610 oil painting by Carlo Saraceni, an Italian artist associated with the early Baroque movement.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the martyrdom of Saint Cecilia, showing the saint kneeling with outstretched arms as an executioner stands beside her. An angel descends from above, and various objects, including a violin and sheet music, lie on the ground, referencing Cecilia's association with music.
Technique & Style
The work is characterized by dramatic lighting and a somber color palette, with the figures emerging from a dark background. The use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of tension, underscoring the drama of the scene.
History & Provenance
The painting is now held in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, its current location reflecting a history of collection and preservation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Carlo Saraceni (1579 – 16 June 1620) was an Italian early-Baroque painter, whose reputation as a "first-class painter of the second rank" was improved with the publication of a modern monograph in 1968.
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