St. Cecilia 1800 - 1900

This drawing of St. Cecilia is made with pen and black ink, with gray wash, over black chalk on paper. Notice how the composition is structured with a complex interplay of shapes and textures. The symmetrical balance within its frame and the use of a monochrome palette draws our attention to the textural differences and ornate details. St. Cecilia is depicted at an organ, surrounded by cherubic figures, all framed by baroque swirls and flourishes. The architectural elements and the heavenly beings create a theatrical, dreamlike scene. The artist uses the contrast between the light wash and the stark ink lines to create depth and volume. This heightens the ornate framework, turning it into an active part of the composition. It suggests a dialogue between the earthly and the divine. The architectural framing and ethereal figures are not separate entities, but exist as part of the same visual and spiritual plane. The drawing, therefore, challenges fixed meanings, engaging with new ways of thinking about space and perception.