Reinier van Persijn: Saint Cecilia Distributing Alms to the Poor (1646)

(Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

An engraving by the Dutch artist Reinier van Persijn (1615-1668). This piece is a copy of a painting by the Italian artist Domenico Zampieri (1581 – 1641). Saint Cecilia (2nd century - 3rd century) was a Roman girl who was forced by her parents to marry a pagan nobleman named Valerian, despite her vow of virginity. Cecilia managed to convince Valerian to respect her wish to remain a virgin. Valerian and his brother Tiburtius converted to Christianity and both suffered martyrdom because of their faith. After the death of her husband, Cecilia distributed her possessions to the poor, which enraged the prefect Almachius, who ordered her to be burned. When the flames did not harm her, she was beheaded. Saint Cecilia is regarded as the patron saint of musicians and poets. Engraving from 1646.