ISABELLA ROSSELLINI (NARRATOR): A woman named Elena Duglioli dall’Olio commissioned Raphael to create this famous altarpiece.

CARMEN BAMBACH: It’s kind of rare to have documented a woman patron for whom Raphael is producing this very important altarpiece.

So, Elena Duglioli dall’Olio, she was kind of like the celebrity want-to-be saint of Bologna. She was very pious and aristocratic. And so she really attempted to create a parallel between herself and this very much worshiped Saint Cecilia.

ROSSELLINI: Saint Cecilia is at center here, in the golden gown. She was also the patron saint of music. So, Raphael shows her holding a miniature organ. But notice how its pipes have begun to fall out. And what about her gaze?

BAMBACH: She’s directing her eyes to heaven, to the celestial music. And you see at the very top the angels with the various scores, and it’s all choral. Whereas she is getting rid of the human music, meaning instrumental music. And in front of her you see several musical instruments that are either destroyed or about to be destroyed.

ROSSELLINI: Saint Cecilia is abandoning anything that has to do with earthly powers and delights. And as she gazes up at the celestial choir, we can read the emotion on her face.

CARMEN BAMBACH: It’s a gaze of rapture. You can almost sense the wetness of tears inside her eyes.