the figures of St. Joseph and St. Elizabeth complete the group. This picture was formerly in the possession of the most reverend Cardinal di Carpi,[1] son of the above-named Signor Leonello, a very zealous admirer of our arts; it must now be in that of his heirs.[2]
When Lorenzo Pucci, Cardinal of Santi Quattro, was created High Penitentiary, he caused Raphael, who was in great favour with him, to paint a picture for San Giovanniin-Monte, at Bologna. This is now placed in that chapel wherein are deposited the relics of the Beata Elena dalF Olio,[3] and serves to show what grace united with art could effect, when acting by the most accomplished and most delicate hand of Raphael. The subject of the work is Santa Cecilia,[4] listening in ecstacy to the songs of the angelic choir, as their voices reach her ear from heaven itself: wholly given up to the celestial harmony, the countenance of the saint affords full evidence of her abstraction from the things of this earth, and wears that rapt expression which is wont to be seen on the faces of those who are in ecstacy.[5] Musical instruments lie scattered around her, and these do not seem to be merely painted, but might be taken for the real objects represented.[6]^ The same thing may be affirmed
- ↑ The Cardinal Ridolfo Pio da Carpi, a great protector of learned men, and the possessor of the celebrated Medicean Virgil. He died in 1564.— Bottari.
- ↑ Passavant considers this picture to be that in the Museo Borbonico, at Naples, but equally important authorities declare the Madonna of the Borbonico to be a fine copy, by Giulio Romano, or at best, but a replica of the original, which they affirm to have been taken to Paris, whence, after having adorned the gallery at Malmaison, it was transferred to St. Petersburg.
- ↑ Elena Duglioli dall’ Olio, who was inspired to build the chapel to St. Cecilia, which is that here alluded to, was a noble lady of Bologna, and kinswoman to the Cardinal of Santi Quattro, who undertook to erect the same. Elena was afterwards declared a Beata.
- ↑ This picture is the celebrated St. Cecilia mentioned in the life of Francia, now in the gallery of the Academy at Bologna.
- ↑ The visitor of Italian galleries and churches will remember many an eloquent exposition of what is here meant, in the pictures of Santa Theresa, St. Francis, and others. To the Protestant Church the exhibition of “Saints in ecstacy” is not yet become matter of frequent occurrence, nor is there now perhaps any very high probability of its doing so.
- ↑ These instruments are said to have been painted by Giovanni da Udine, as is remarked by Vasari himself in another place.—Ed. Flor. 1832-8.
