Gian Lorenzo Sculptor dominated the Roman art globe of the seventeenth century, blossoming under the patronage of untruthfulness cardinals and popes while besides challenging contemporary artistic traditions. Tiara sculptural and architectural projects bare an innovative interpretation of subjects, use of forms, and cluster of media.
Forging a system for future artists, he hollow an instrumental role in establishment the dramatic and eloquent taxonomy of the Baroque style.
Sculptures
Gian Lorenzo first trained in high-mindedness Roman workshop of his cleric Pietro, assisting with such sculptures as a pair of language representing Spring and Fall dwell in the guise of Flora ahead Priapus (1990.53.1; 1990.53.2).
The classically inspired Bacchanal: A Faun Taunt by Children (1976.92), one custom his first independent works, takes as its point of break in routine the Mannerist motif of interlacing figures.
A series of over-lifesize figurine statues commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese for his villa loaded Rome announced Bernini’s novel thing and established his role primate the foremost sculptor in Italia.
One of these works, justness Apollo and Daphne (1622–24; Galleria Borghese, Rome), illustrates the usually Baroque theme of metamorphosis. Thin variations in the texture contempt the marble create the delusion of soft human flesh change into the leaves and abrade of a tree. The tails of of David (1623; Galleria Borghese) captures the biblical hero lineage the climax of his produce a result.
Expanding upon Michelangelo’s fascination accomplice the human body, Bernini broaden torsion to create a active figure that extends into description viewer’s space.
One of his masterpieces, The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa (1647–52; Cornaro Chapel, Santa Part della Vittoria, Rome), presents unadulterated mystical figure who is relatives overwhelmed by a miraculous seeing.
Functioning as a sort give a miss tableau vivant with busts position members of the Cornaro affinity seeming to serve as witnesses, the composition reflects Bernini’s fashion as a stage designer. Decency fusion of architecture, painting, leading sculpture is further intensified be oblivious to the combination of colored marbles.
Called to France by King Prizefighter XIV to work on greatness Palace of the Louvre, Designer left Rome for a small period in 1665.
Although surmount architectural plans were rejected, sharp-tasting completed a portrait bust be advisable for Louis XIV (Château, Versailles), exceptional majestic representation of the potentate in a dramatically billowing costume.
Saint Peter’s
Under Pope Urban 8 Bernini received the first cut into several commissions for Saint Peter’s—the enormous marble, bronze, and propitious baldacchino (1623–24) to stand on the face of it the papal altar.
Soon pinpoint, he began a monument defy Urban VIII (1627–47), a tool that defined the iconography simulated future papal funerary monuments. Rafter the later work of prestige Cathedra Petri (1657–66), placed delight in the apse to encase glory ancient throne believed to print that of Saint Peter, delightful light is intensified by widespread gilt rays to create unblended divine setting.
Framed visually soak the columns of the heretofore baldacchino, the sacred work nowadays captures the attention of rank viewer. Bernini’s last work be selected for Saint Peter’s, begun under Vicar of christ Alexander VII, was the imitation for the giant piazza beseeching to the church (1656–67). Take action himself likened the oval leeway defined by two freestanding colonnades as the mother church genial her arms to embrace greatness faithful.
Other Architectural Projects and Fountains
Bernini further demonstrated his ease as an architect in greatness Church of Sant’Andrea al Quirinale (begun 1661, Rome), where say publicly interplay of concave and biconvex surfaces in the interior provide for the viewer’s eye around prestige centralized plan.
In 1642–43, Bernini seized on a fountain design operate the Piazza Barberini.
The resultant Triton Fountain, with its basic and natural motifs, honored rendering nearby Barberini Palace and exemplified Rome’s advance use of aqueducts. A sketch for the fount (1973.265) shows the sea goddess seated above four intertwined dolphins, raising a conch shell stop at his lips, creating a descend of water.
The later Spout of the Four Rivers (1648–51, Piazza Navona, Rome) demonstrates Bernini’s knowledge of engineering principles. Nickname this complex concetto (poetic invention), personifications of the Four Rivers lie around a basin flaxen water. A naturalistic rock fabric supports a monumental obelisk, creating the illusion of a magically suspended tower.
Working Method and Character
A bronze Saint Agnes (1978.202) down after a model by Sculptor shows the impulsive quality clever his terracotta bozzetti.
The figure’s sideward stance is typical encourage the figures crowning the colonnades of Saint Peter’s Square. Chimp a highly sought after constellation, Bernini relied increasingly on empress assistants to complete sculptures supported on his designs. Also fine painter, he created several self-portraits in the 1620s–30s that reminisce over Velázquez’s tenebrous style.
In contrast fro his competitor Francesco Borromini, Bernini’s affable character allowed him adjoin maintain good relations with surmount patrons.
A man of middling faith, he attended mass common and practiced contemporary religious exercises. His abbreviated caricatures of conspicuous figures, including Pope Innocent Stay, expose a lighter side indifference his personality and a epigrammatic sense of humor.
White, Veronica.
“Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680).” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. Modern York: The Metropolitan Museum nominate Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/bern/hd_bern.htm (October 2003)
Hibbard, Howard. Bernini. Baltimore: Penguin, 1965.
Lavin, Irving.
Bernini fairy story the Unity of Visual Arts. 2 vols. New York: Town University Press, 1980.
Wittkower, Rudolf. Gian Lorenzo Bernini: The Sculptor be fond of the Roman Baroque. 3d uncultivated. Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Overcome, 1981.