Saint Cecilia c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have William Sharp's "Saint Cecilia". It’s an engraving, a bit hard to date precisely, but you get a real sense of serenity from Cecilia's gaze. What do you see in this piece, beyond the obvious saintly symbolism? Curator: Serenity indeed! Sharp captures that almost otherworldly calm, doesn't he? For me, it's the tension between Cecilia's stillness and the implied music. She's holding the instrument, but her eyes are elsewhere. Is she listening to an internal melody, perhaps? Or is she waiting for divine inspiration? Editor: That's a beautiful interpretation! I hadn't considered the internal music aspect. Curator: It's like Sharp is inviting us to imagine the unheard music, the silent harmony that dwells within her soul. I think that's what makes it so captivating. Editor: I'll never look at it the same way again. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It’s all about finding your own resonance with the art, isn’t it?