Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598 (Naples) - 1680 (Rome)) waspre-eminent baroque artist, who worked chieflyRome. Eminentlysculptor, he was also an architect, painter, draftsman, designerstage sets, fireworks displays,funeral trappings.

His father Pietro waswell known Mannerist sculptor himself, but Gian Lorenzo soon showedparticular attitude. He soon wentRome, where his career was run. His first works were inspired by Hellenistic art; among them "The Goat Amalthea NursingInfant Zeus andYoung Satyr" (redated 1609, Galleria Borghese, Rome) and"AbductionProserpina" (1621-1622, Galleria Borghese, Rome).

His first architectural projects includefacade forchurchSanta Bibiana (1624-1626), Rome, andcreation ofmagnificent baldachin (1624-1633), or altar canopy, overhigh altarSt. Peter's Basilica [1]. Then he conceivedtombs Pope Urban VIII [1]Pope Alexander VII Chigi[1] (1628-471671-78, respectively, St. Peter's Basilica). The Cathedra Petri (ChairSaint Peter, 1657-66), inapseSt. Peter's,onehis masterpieces.

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David

Among his best-known sculpting works are"EcstasySt Teresa" (1645-1652, inCornaro Chapel, Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome), "Apollo Daphne", and"David" atBorghese Gallery. Also, he produced several allegorical busts such asDamned SoulBlessed Soul (both circa 1619, Palazzo di Spagna, Rome).

Bernini depicts Davidmotion,contrast tofamous statueDavid by Michelangelowhichcharacterpreparingaction. The twisted torsofurrowed browBernini's "David"symptomatic ofbaroque's interestdynamic movement over high renaissance stasis.

Also adept at architecture, he designedpiazza (great square)colonnadeSt Peter's inVatican (most famous work). He planned several famous palaces: Palazzo Ludovisi (now Palazzo Montecitorio, 1650)Palazzo Chigi (1664),Rome,made an unexecuted design forLouvre (presentedLouis XIV1665, when Bernini wasParis). Or he designed some churches, likeCastelgandolfoin Ariccia (near Rome). One ofsmall baroque churchesRome presents an ensembleBernini's work: Bernini was responsible not only forarchitecture at Sant'Andrea al Quirinale but alsoenormous statueSt. AndrewApostle overhigh altar.

The spectacular Fountain ofFour Rivers (1648-51) [1] inPiazza Navona, Rome,alsosourceanecdotes about his rivalryFrancesco Borromini (whose Sant' AgneseAgone church facesfountain).

Alsoremember, portraitsCardinal Scipione Borghese [1] (1632, Galleria Borghese)Louis XIVFrance (1665, PalaceVersailles).