Saint Cecilia Accompanied by Heavenly Musicians

Nicolaes Lauwers after Gerard Seghers

Associated Names
Nicolaes Lauwers

Artist, Flemish, 1600 - 1652

Gerard Seghers

Artist After, Flemish, 1591 - 1651

The image shows four individuals, with their upper bodies and faces clearly visible. The central figure is seated upright, looking slightly upward with wide eyes. She has curly hair, mostly covered by a large, ornate turban or head wrap. Her attire is elaborate, with a patterned dress featuring a low neckline and a decorative, circular brooch at the chest. To her left, a figure with feathered wings plays a wind instrument while glancing towards her. This figure also has short, curly hair and wears draped fabric. On her right, another winged figure leans in closely with curly hair and holds a lute or similar stringed instrument. A fourth person peers over the central figure's shoulder, looking towards the music book held open on the table. The background is a draped curtain, with the entire scene lit in a chiaroscuro effect, casting deep shadows and highlighting the figures and the objects around them, such as a candle, a violin, and the open book.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Dr. Ruth B. Benedict

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed within plate mark): 31.6 x 37.2 cm (12 7/16 x 14 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1983.104.3

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hollstein, no. 13


Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1994

  • A Discerning Eye: Prints and Drawings Given by Ruth B. Benedict, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994, no. 21.

Bibliography

1949

  • Hollstein, F.W.H. et al. German engravings, etchings and woodcuts ca. 1400-1700. 8 vols. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberger, 1954-1868. Dutch and Flemish etchings, engravings and woodcuts, ca. 1450-1700. Vols. I-XV, XVIII, XIX. Amsterdam: Menno Hertzberge

1994

  • A Discerning Eye: Prints and Drawings Given by Ruth B. Benedict. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1994: no. 21.

Inscriptions

lower left in plate: Gerardus Seghers inuen.; lower center in plate: Cum priuilegio.; lower right in plate: Nicol. Lawers Sculp.; across bottom in plate: CAECILISalterno luditque canitque susurro. / Respondet pa

Wikidata ID

Q74044743

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