Description
The painting St Cecilia and Her Husband Valerian Being Crowned by an Angel by the artist Maestro Del Crucifijo De Pesaro is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance art. This artwork is full of detail and symbolism that makes it a fascinating piece for art lovers.
The artistic style used in the painting is typical of the Italian Renaissance, with a focus on realistic representation of the figures and meticulous attention to detail. The composition is symmetrical and balanced, with Cecilia and Valerian seated on identical thrones and the angel crowning them in the center of the image.
The color used in the painting is vibrant and saturated, with warm shades of red, orange, and yellow in Cecilia and Valerian's dresses. The angel is depicted with cooler shades of blue and green, making it stand out from the gold background.
The story behind the painting is that of Saint Cecilia, a 3rd-century Christian martyr who became the patron saint of music. Legend has it that Cecilia was married to Valerian, who converted to Christianity after hearing Cecilia speak about her faith. Both were martyred for their faith, and the angel crowning them in the painting represents their entrance into heaven.
An interesting and little-known aspect of the painting is that it was originally part of a diptych, a work of art divided into two panels that can be closed like a book. The other panel of the diptych depicted Saint John the Baptist, and both panels were commissioned by the Pesaro family to be placed in the family chapel in the church of San Giovanni Evangelista in Pesaro, Italy.
In summary, the painting St Cecilia and Her Husband Valerian Being Crowned by an Angel is an Italian Renaissance masterpiece that combines a realistic artistic style with symmetrical composition and vibrant colouring. The story behind the painting and its original use as part of a diptych make it a fascinating piece to explore.