Saint Cecilia c. 19th century

Curator: This is Saint Cecilia by Johann Heinrich Friedr. Ludwig Knolle, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: She looks lost in a dream, doesn't she? Such a serene and almost melancholy mood. It makes you wonder what she's playing. Curator: Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of music, so her association with the organ is quite typical. It's interesting how the artist uses the octagonal frame to isolate her. Editor: It's like looking into her private musical world. The flowers at the base feel like an offering. Is that just me? Curator: No, not at all. Saint Cecilia often appears with floral tributes. The artwork underscores the cultural valorization of music as a divine expression. Editor: There's something powerful about that quiet devotion. It makes me want to listen to some organ music now. Curator: And for me, it makes me want to understand how depictions of female musicians have shifted across time.