Tomb of Saint Cecilia (Original Monumental Setting)
Architectural Sculpture and Funerary Monument • Monumental setting attributed to the workshop of Stefano Maderno; Altar architecture likely by Giacomo della Porta.
Style & Movement
Roman Baroque / Counter-Reformation Art
Medium & Technique
Marble carving, polychrome marble inlay (pietra dura), wrought iron latticework, and gilded wood or metal accents.
Creation Period
Late 16th to early 17th Century (Baroque period, specifically around 1599-1600)
Dimensions & Format
Monumental scale; life-size figurative elements within an architectural altarpiece framework.
Subject Description
The monument houses the remains of Saint Cecilia. The focus is a recessed niche behind a decorative iron grille (cancelli), meant to display the famous recumbent statue by Stefano Maderno. The composition includes cherubs in relief, Corinthian-style pilasters, and rich marble veneers symbolizing divine light and incorruptibility.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the architectural elements show natural aging of marble and oxidation of metalwork typical of historical church interiors.
Estimated Market Value
Inestimable (National Cultural Heritage / Fixed Ecclesiastical Property)
Auction Estimate
N/A (Non-salable cultural property)
Provenance History
Permanently located in the Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome. Commissioned by Cardinal Paolo Emilio Sfondrati following the 1599 exhumation of the saint's body.
Art Historical Significance
This is a quintessential example of Counter-Reformation art, designed to promote the cult of the saints through naturalism. It marks the transition from Mannerism to the fully realized Roman Baroque.
Notable Features
The presence of the original ornate iron grille (mancilli) and the use of 'Giallo Antico' marble to frame the viewing area of the saint's crypt.
Condition Issues
Minor surface accumulation, oxidation of iron grille, and slight discoloration of marble due to centuries of candle smoke and atmospheric exposure.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning (ph-neutral), monitoring of humidity levels within the crypt/altar area, and specialized conservation of the gilded elements.