Portrait de Pauline Viardot en sainte Cécile 1851

"Portrait de Pauline Viardot en sainte Cécile" is an 1851 oil painting by the French Romantic artist Ary Scheffer. The painting depicts the renowned mezzo-soprano Pauline Viardot in profile, rendered in a classical style reminiscent of Renaissance portraiture. The golden background with a subtle grid pattern adds to the painting's formality and evokes a sense of sacredness, alluding to Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music. The painting is a testament to Scheffer's skill in capturing the essence of his subjects and highlighting their individual beauty and talent.