Stage Arrangement: St. Cecilia
Shinn, Everett
about 1905
Artwork Information
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Title:
Stage Arrangement: St. Cecilia
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Artist:
Shinn, Everett
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Artist Bio:
American, 1876–1953
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Date:
about 1905
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Medium:
Watercolor, gouache, and graphite on paperboard
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Dimensions:
11 3/4 x 9 3/4 inches
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Credit Line:
Wichita Art Museum, John W. and Mildred L. Graves Collection
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Object Number:
1998.43
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Display:
Not Currently on Display
About the Artwork
This painting by Everett Shinn is probably a study after Saint Cecilia Playing the Organ which was painted on a panel of an 18th Century chamber organ in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, acquired in 1889.
Saint Cecilia was a Christian martyr of the 1st or 2nd century, born in Rome. Cecilia was condemned for refusing to sacrifice to idols. She was first thrown in a boiling bath but was unhurt. The next attempt was to cut off her head, but when the executioner did not succeed in three strokes, he was obliged by law to stop. She lived three days longer. Legend speaks of her singing to God in her heart and thus she became the patroness of church music. She is often depicted playing an organ or other musical instrument. Saint Cecilia’s feast day is November 22.