Saint Cecilia, after Raphael c. 1831

Curator: This is Washington Allston's pencil drawing "Saint Cecilia, after Raphael" held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels so gentle. The lines are delicate, almost as if he was afraid to wake her from a dream. Curator: Allston, born in 1779, was very much engaged with the Renaissance masters. You can see the reference to Raphael in his choice of subject. Editor: Indeed. Her gaze seems both inward and upward, hinting at divine inspiration, yet rendered with such sensitivity. What I find fascinating is how the sketchiness, far from diminishing the work, enhances its spiritual quality. Curator: Precisely, the materiality of the work invites contemplation—it is not just an image but an act of devotional transcription. Editor: It's a beautiful reminder of the power of suggestion in art, how the unfinished can sometimes speak volumes. Curator: A fitting end note for such an evocative piece.