Saint Cecilia Playing the Harp 17th-18th century

Curator: Isn't she lovely? The print "Saint Cecilia Playing the Harp" by Claude Duflos really strikes a chord, doesn't it? Editor: It does evoke a sense of serenity, a quiet moment in what must have been a chaotic era. I'm curious about the choice of instruments... that viola da gamba looks rather forlorn, doesn't it? Curator: Duflos, born in 1665, was working during a time when the French court was obsessed with music and spectacle. Perhaps it reflects the different facets of musical expression, the harp representing the heavenly, and the viola a more earthly emotion? Editor: I see your point. The harp certainly elevates the image; it visually and metaphorically suggests Cecilia’s connection to the divine, and the angel holding the music, reading, adds to the divine theme. Curator: I find it quite interesting how Duflos rendered Saint Cecilia's expression – a mix of concentration and ethereal inspiration. It's as if she's translating the music of the spheres into something we can hear. Editor: I see this image as a carefully constructed piece of propaganda. It links music and sanctity, reinforcing social values during a period of immense social change. The politics of imagery, you know? Curator: Well, whether it’s propaganda or heartfelt expression, this print has certainly left its mark. It makes you think about how music connects us, doesn't it? Editor: Absolutely. And how even the most personal artistic expression can be entangled with the powers that be. Always something to think about.