Music cabinet and piano with a relic of St Cecilia by Pierre Joseph Hubert Cuypers

Music cabinet and piano with a relic of St Cecilia c. 1858 - 1859

tempera, painting, wood

byzantine-art

medieval

narrative-art

tempera

painting

figuration

wood

Pierre Joseph Hubert Cuypers' "Music cabinet and piano with a relic of St Cecilia" is a striking example of 19th-century Neo-Gothic design. Created between 1858-1859, the cabinet features intricate carvings and decorative details. The cabinet doors are adorned with painted panels depicting scenes from the life of Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music. The cabinet's intricate design and religious subject matter reflect the prevailing artistic trends of the era, combining a revival of medieval styles with contemporary sensibilities. The piece is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, providing visitors a glimpse into the rich history of Dutch decorative arts.

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rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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Pierre Cuypers, the Rijksmuseum architect, designed these pieces of furniture as engagement and wedding presents for his second wife. The Gothic Revival style and the reliquary on the piano express their deep-rooted Catholicism. The images on the piano case – the Annunciation and scenes from the life of St Cecilia, patron saint of music – allude to the difficult choice of Cuypers’ wife between marriage and a musical career.