Saint Cecilia

St Cecilia is a Christian saint and virgin martyr believed to have lived in the 2nd or 3rd century. She is the patron saint of music, her attribute being the organ (often the portative type). Here she appears playing the clavichord, an instrument with which she is customarily portrayed in Renaissance works. Singing angels accompany the saint.

As a painter at the court of Philip II, Coxcie was much appreciated by the King, who paid him for this painting in 1569.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 3 minutes): Girolamo Frescobaldi: Ricercar No. 8