“In Christian iconography, Cecilia is the patron saint of music. The connection to music relates to the early accounts of Cecilia’s life. According to these, Cecilia did not want to hear musical instruments because she wanted to remain pure to be able to hear heavenly music. Saint Cecilia is based on a verse from Alfred Tennyson’s poem: ‘In a clear walled city on the sea, Near gilded organ pipes… …slept St Cecily’. Tennyson’s poems often served as an inspiration to Waterhouse…Waterhouse depicts Saint Cecilia sitting in a garden overlooking the sea. She has fallen asleep and two youthful angels serenade her with a violin and a rebec. Waterhouse weaves different symbols into the composition. For example, the roses in the walled garden refer to the rose garland that the angels placed on Cecilia’s head. The other flower in the garden is the poppy – a well-known symbol of sleep and serenity.”
READ FULL ESSAY: wikiart
Read More
John William Waterhouse at wikiwand
See More
Tag: John William Waterhouse At Sunnyside
John William Waterhouse at wikimedia commons
John William Waterhouse at Christie’s
Happy Sunday! 🙂
~Sunnyside
At Sunnyside - Where Truth and Beauty Meet 
Lovely, Sunny. Thank you!❤️🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are most welcome, Sister Renee. 🙂🌺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful and serene! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are most welcome, Sheila! 🙂🌺
LikeLike
I always loved thinking of her singing in her heart, only for God.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely thought – thanks for sharing, sienablue. 🙂🌺
LikeLike
I really love the Pre-Raphaelite artists & especially this one which I think I saw on a plaque at a very big antique shop somewhat near where I live, but I didn’t get it then, or it could’ve been a similar piece with a male musician 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Jade! 🙂🌺
LikeLike
I once heard angelic music ~ and I can understand St. Cecilia’s feelings. It’s described on my site in a poem titled “Fall and Rise of the Serf.” If I haven’t done it in the last few months I’ll post it this evening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I must read this one – thanks so much, Ana. 🙂🌺
LikeLiked by 1 person
I looked it up, and it ran only four months ago. If my search bar doesn’t spit it up for you let me know and I’ll go get you a link. 🙋
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll find it – thanks, Ana! 😎🌺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂❤️🙏
LikeLike
Fascinating subject captured as a pin-sharp carefully-arranged composition. Very memorable picture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, John. 🙂
LikeLike