Who is Bernini?
Gian Lorenzo Bernini was born in Naples on December 7, 1598 to a Tuscan family of artists. His father, Pietro Bernini, was a sculptor who trained Gian Lorenzo from a young age. When Bernini was only eight years old his family moved to Rome, where his talent showed tremendously. By the time he was in his teens, he was already creating impressive works of sculpture, earning good money from wealthy buyers. When Pope Paul V found him he made him the youngest artist to work on the Vatican.
Bernini was born December 7, 1598 and died November 28, 1680. You can visit his tomb at The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
Bernini showcased his exceptional skill with the Fountain of the four rivers in both sculpture and urban design. It was innovative for its time, combining sculpture, water, and architecture into a single cohesive and symbolic work of art. He also mastered the use of light in his work. For the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa there is a hidden window above the chapel that brings in sunlight illuminating the statue, giving the realism of God's love. By incorporating elements of life in his work, Bernini made an impact in the art world.
Learn more about the Life and Works of Bernini
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Bernini like Michelangelo sculpted a statue of David, however this one is of David in mid-action. He is holding a slingshot and his body is turned to signify him winding up to hit Goliath. Below him you will see that he is standing by armor to give the illusion of him on the battlefield. When you look at his face you can see the focus and determination he has. Bernini paid much attention to the little details to give people a better understanding of what the historical figure was going through emotionally and physically.
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The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa (1647–1652)
This sculpture is located at Cornaro Chapel of the Santa Maria della Vittoria church in Rome. Saint Teresa is is shown having an encounter with an angel piercing her with an arrow of God's love. By the way her mouth his half-opened and the way she is laying shows that she is feeling both pain and pleasure. Bernini expresses through the statue God's love is so powerful that Saint Teresa physically cannot handle it, feeling both pain and pleasure.
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The structure that is right above the tomb of Saint Peter, is his first work in the Basilica which took him nine years to build. Looking at the design, it has many unique parts to it. Coat of arms, columns, heraldic bees, St. Peter's Keys, and angels. Each piece of the structure holds a purpose and story. Parts of the structure honor the Barberini family who hired Bernini to work in the Vatican. Pope Urban VIII was part of this family, and was the one who commissioned him.
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The Fountain of the Four Rivers (1648-1651)
The fountain depicts four figures, each representing a major river from a different continent that the Pope wished to show where Catholicism had spread. The rivers are, the Nile representing Africa, the Ganges representing Asia, Danube representing Europe, and Rio de la Plata representing the Americas. The papacy's power is strongly apparent by the Central Obelisk being at the center of the fountain. The river gods seem to yield to the central authority of the Pope, whose presence is symbolized by the obelisk.