St. Cecily / Cecilia (Illustration for The Palace of Art in Tennyson's Poems, New York, 1903) 1857 - 1903

Editor: Here we have Dante Gabriel Rossetti's pen and ink drawing "St. Cecily" made between 1857 and 1903 as an illustration for Tennyson's Poems. The scene feels incredibly intricate, like a tapestry woven with both earthly and divine elements. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a potent synthesis of sacred and secular, a hallmark of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. The visual weight given to symbols tells a fascinating story. Consider the contrast between Saint Cecily at the organ and the fully rendered, detailed town square juxtaposed in the same space. One seems an ethereal state and the other earthly existence. The suggestion becomes more profound when viewed in conjunction with Tennyson's verse; we could say he provides the aural texture to Rossetti’s visual poetics. Do you think that Rossetti’s use of layering means to blur the lines between sacred and secular experiences? Editor: That’s a compelling interpretation. It appears Saint Cecily is immersed in celestial visions, but also present at the terrestrial shore. Curator: Indeed. Consider also, the inclusion of the solider, looking upwards at the event while also being confined to his armor and post. His gaze is of longing, but he's still unable to ascend to a more hallowed space, thus completing the symbolic story, Rossetti creates through careful inclusion. It reveals how our roles, objects, and locations construct psychological limits. Editor: I’m starting to appreciate how Rossetti uses symbols and his compositions to create complex allegories. Thank you for helping me look deeper. Curator: My pleasure. Rossetti demonstrates how symbols communicate emotional truth over time. His work stands as a reminder of their continued relevance.