Peter Paul Rubens, a Baroque artist known for his highly charged compositions referencing classical and Christian history, created St. Cecilia in 1639-40. The painting is an oil on panel measuring 177 x 139 cm and is currently located in the Gemäldegalerie in Dahlem, Berlin.
St. Cecilia after talking with angels is one of Rubens’ last paintings and may reflect the discomfort he experienced in his last weeks or months. The painting depicts St. Cecilia surrounded by musicians with angels playing music behind her. This masterpiece showcases Rubens’ style of emphasizing movement, sensuality, and color through dynamic composition and the interplay of light and shadow.
Rubens’ notable artworks include The Elevation of the Cross altarpiece, originally installed on the high altar of the Church of St. Walburga in Antwerp but now located in the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp. It remains a masterpiece of Baroque painting to this day.
In summary, Peter Paul Ruben’s St. Cecilia is a Baroque-style masterpiece that represents his signature style with elements like movement, sensuality, striking colors with lights & shadows combination performed through dynamic composition & several referencing classical pieces emotionally significant to him that may have resulted from personal discomforts at that time – an art piece considered worthy by being placed amongst other greats like The Elevation Of The Cross altarpiece housed at Antwerp’s Cathedral Of Our Lady today.
