Saint Cecilia, right wing of a triptych, 1490-1500. Cecilia has a white bird, a garland of roses on her head and an organ at her feet. The organ is a reference to the music that was played when she entered her husband’s house on the day of their marriage, and is the symbol of her role as the patron saint of music. The garland of roses on her head and that held by Valerianus are allusions to the flowers with which they were crowned by the angel to mark their lives of chastity.

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Size: 2214px × 6204px
Photo credit: © Heritage Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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