Bernini: His Life and His Rome - The Ultimate Guide to Baroque Master's Eternal City

Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) was an Italian artist who worked in sculpture, architecture, painting, and drawing. He is one of the most famous and influential artists of the Baroque period, and his work can be seen throughout Rome.

Bernini was born in Naples, but he moved to Rome at an early age. He quickly rose to prominence, and by the age of 25, he was appointed as the chief architect of St. Peter's Basilica. Bernini worked on St. Peter's for the rest of his life, and he designed many of its most famous features, including the baldacchino over the altar and the colonnade in front of the basilica.

Bernini: His Life and His Rome

by Franco Mormando

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In addition to his work on St. Peter's, Bernini also designed many other churches, palaces, and fountains in Rome. He was also a talented sculptor, and his works include the Ecstasy of St. Teresa in the Cornaro Chapel of Santa Maria della Vittoria and the David in the Galleria Borghese.

Bernini's work is characterized by its emotional intensity, its dramatic use of light and shadow, and its exuberant decoration. He was a master of both the grand and the intimate, and his work can be seen as a reflection of the Baroque period's fascination with both the sensual and the spiritual.

Bernini's Masterpieces

Bernini's masterpieces are scattered throughout Rome, and they include some of the most famous works of art in the world. Here is a look at some of his most important works:

• Trevi Fountain: The Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous fountains in the world, and it is a must-see for any visitor to Rome. The fountain was designed by Bernini in the 17th century, and it features a large central figure of Neptune surrounded by Tritons and sea creatures.
• St. Peter's Basilica: St. Peter's Basilica is one of the largest and most important churches in the world. Bernini worked on St. Peter's for most of his life, and he designed many of its most famous features, including the baldacchino over the altar and the colonnade in front of the basilica.
• Baldacchino: The baldacchino is a large canopy that hangs over the altar in St. Peter's Basilica. It was designed by Bernini in the 17th century, and it is made of bronze and marble. The baldacchino is one of the most famous works of Baroque art in the world.
• Colonnade: The colonnade is a series of columns that flank the front of St. Peter's Basilica. It was designed by Bernini in the 17th century, and it is made of travertine marble. The colonnade is one of the most iconic landmarks in Rome.
• Ecstasy of St. Teresa: The Ecstasy of St. Teresa is a marble sculpture by Bernini that is housed in the Cornaro Chapel of Santa Maria della Vittoria. The sculpture depicts St. Teresa of Avila in a moment of ecstasy as she is pierced by an angel's arrow. The Ecstasy of St. Teresa is one of the most famous and controversial works of Baroque art in the world.
• David: The David is a marble sculpture by Bernini that is housed in the Galleria Borghese. The sculpture depicts the biblical hero David as he prepares to fight Goliath. The David is one of the most famous and iconic works of Baroque art in the world.

Bernini's Rome

Rome was the center of Bernini's world, and his work can be seen throughout the city. Bernini's Rome is a city of churches, palaces, and fountains, and his work helped to create the city's unique Baroque character.

Here is a look at some of the places in Rome where you can find Bernini's work:

• St. Peter's Basilica: St. Peter's Basilica is Bernini's masterpiece, and it is one of the most important churches in the world. Bernini worked on St. Peter's for most of his life, and he designed many of its most famous features, including the baldacchino over the altar and the colonnade in front of the basilica.
• Piazza Navona: Piazza Navona is one of the most famous squares in Rome, and it is home to two of Bernini's most famous fountains, the Fountain of the Four Rivers and the Fountain of the Moor.
• Spanish Steps: The Spanish Steps are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome, and they were designed by Bernini's father, Pietro Bernini.
• Trevi Fountain: The Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous fountains in the world, and it is a must-see for any visitor to Rome. The fountain was designed by Bernini in the 17th century, and it features a large central figure of Neptune surrounded by Tritons and sea creatures.
• Villa Borghese: Villa Borghese is a large park in Rome that is home to a number of Bernini's sculptures, including the David and the Apollo and Daphne.

Bernini was one of the most important artists of the Baroque period, and his work can be seen throughout Rome. Bernini's Rome is a city of churches, palaces, and fountains, and his work helped to create the city's unique Baroque character.

If you are interested in learning more about Bernini and his work, I highly recommend visiting Rome and seeing his masterpieces in person. You can also find a number of books and articles about Bernini online.

Suggested Reading

• Bernini: His Life and His Rome by Franco Mormando
• Gian Lorenzo Bernini: New Aspects of His Art and Thought by Irving Lavin
• Bernini and the Art of Architecture by Howard Hibbard

Bernini: His Life and His Rome

by Franco Mormando

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4492 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	454 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE