Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 3.djvu/41

Rh 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, son of the above-named Signor Leonello, a very zealous admirer of our arts; it must now be in that of his heirs.

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, 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, 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. Musical instruments lie scattered around her, and these do not seem to be merely painted, but might be taken for the real objects represented. ^ The same thing may be affirmed