“Saint Cecilia (Invisible piano)” is an evocative piece crafted by the renowned artist Max Ernst in 1923 in Paris, France. This surrealistic oil painting on canvas, which measures 101 x 82 cm, is housed in the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany.
The artwork portrays a symbolic scene that evokes a sense of mystery and otherworldliness characteristic of Surrealism. The central figure, presumably Saint Cecilia, is depicted in an abstract and fragmented manner, seamlessly blending elements of organic and geometric forms. The landscape features a juxtaposition of soft, flowing lines with rigid, angular shapes, creating an environment that feels both dreamlike and slightly disconcerting. The vibrant colors and meticulous detailing enhance the painting’s surrealistic qualities and deepen its symbolic resonance. The use of an “invisible piano,” suggested by the ghostly piano keys and the ethereal positioning of the hands, further emphasizes themes of the unseen and the mystical, inviting viewers to delve into a world where the boundaries of reality and imagination are blurred.
