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

St. Cecily / Cecilia (Illustration for The Palace of Art in Tennyson's Poems, New York, 1903) is a compelling wood engraving by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. While this specific print was published posthumously for the 1903 edition of Alfred Lord Tennyson's collected works, the underlying design was originated by Rossetti around 1857, demonstrating the enduring appeal of his illustrations within the Pre-Raphaelite context. The artwork functions as a visual interpretation of Tennyson's poem, linking spiritual devotion with artistic inspiration.

The print centers on the figure of Saint Cecilia, the patroness of musicians, who is traditionally depicted playing or associated with musical instruments, often an organ. Rossetti visualizes the saint surrounded by ancillary figures (Men and Women). In this scene, a male figure kneels beside the Saint, perhaps aiding her or reacting to the celestial music she is said to hear. The composition employs characteristic Pre-Raphaelite detail in drapery and symbolic elements, focusing the viewer’s attention on the moment of mystical perception.

As a wood engraving, the technique relies on intricate line work to create rich contrasts necessary for successful reproduction in book prints. This method allowed Rossetti’s detailed drawings to reach a wider audience than his paintings alone. This piece is held within the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because the illustration was published over a century ago, prints of this design are frequently considered part of the public domain, ensuring widespread access to this important example of Victorian illustration.