Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini) (December 7, 1598 – November 28, 1680), who worked chiefly in Rome, was the pre-eminent baroque artist. Eminent as a sculptor and architect, he was also a painter, draftsman, designer of stage sets, fireworks displays, and funeral trappings.

Mature sculpture

Bernini depicts David (illustration, left) in motion, in contrast to the famous Florentine David by Michelangelo who reposes in confidence or the effete David by Donatello. The twisted torso and furrowed forehead of Bernini's "David" is symptomatic of the baroque's interest in dynamic movement over High Renaissance stasis. Michelangelo expresses David's whole heroic nature; Bernini captures the heroic moment. In political terms, it can be said Michelangelo's David epitomizes a Florence that will not allow defeat; Bernini's David, a Reformation Rome anxious for a fight. The sculpture brought Bernini his first fame, was commissioned from the twenty-five year old Bernini by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, his great patron.

Related Topics:
David - Michelangelo - Donatello - Renaissance - Scipione Borghese

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His first architectural project was the magnificent bronze baldachin (1624 - 1633), the canopy over the high altar of St. Peter's Basilica http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/art/b/bernini/gianlore/sculptur/1620/baldacch.jpg, and the façade for the church of Santa Bibiana (1624-1626), Rome. In 1629, before the Baldacchino was complete, Urban VIII put him in charge of all the ongoing architectural works at St Peter's. He was given the commission for the Basilica's tombs of Pope Urban VIII (1628-1647 http://www.thais.it/scultura/image/sch00348.htm and, years later, Pope Alexander VII Chigi 1671-1678 http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/art/b/bernini/gianlore/sculptur/1670/alex.jpg. The Chair of Saint Peter (Cathedra Petri) 1657-1666), in the apse of St. Peter's http://www.kfki.hu/~arthp/art/b/bernini/gianlore/sculptur/1650/throne.jpg, is one of his masterpieces.

Related Topics:
Baldachin - 1624 - 1633 - Canopy - St. Peter's Basilica - Façade - 1626 - Urban VIII - Tomb - Pope Urban VIII - 1628 - 1647 - Pope Alexander VII - 1671 - 1678 - 1657 - 1666 - Masterpiece

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Among his other best-known sculptures: the "Ecstasy of St Theresa" (1645-1652, in the Cornaro Chapel, Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome).

Related Topics:
Ecstasy of St Theresa - 1645 - 1652 - Santa Maria della Vittoria

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