A FRENCH TAPESTRY DEPICTING ST CECILIA PLAYING THE VIOLA AT HER WEDDING, PROBABLY 17TH CENTURY, the patron saint of music depicted with her husband Valerian and his brother Tiburtius in the forest, surrounded by trees and flowers. 151 x 178cm St. Cecilia is one of the most famous virgin martyrs of the Catholic church. She is the patron saint of music and musicians and is often depicted playing the viola (a small organ) or organ pipes in her hands. Despite her vow of virginity, she was forced by her parents to marry a pagan nobleman called Valerian. During the marriage ceremony she is said to have sang to God in her heart and called upon the saints and angels to guard her virginity. Once married, St. Cecilia told her husband that an angel of God was watching over her and if he forced the consummation of their marriage he would be punished. Valerian promised to respect her vow of virginity if he could see proof of the angel but St. Cecilia told him the only way he could see the angel was if he was baptised. After Valerian was baptised, he returned to his wife and saw the angel by her side protecting her. St. Cecilia also converted Valerian's brother Tibertius. The brothers were martyred before she was.