Gian Lorenzo Bernini Ani Borissova

Biography Born in Naples 1598 Dies in Rome 1680 Inherits the art of sculpture from his father Pietro, who was a Florentine sculptor. His father trained him in sculpture and by the age of 10 Bernini produced his first finished work – The Goat Amalthea with the Infant Jupiter and a Faun. He inherited from his father the patronage of the Borghese and Barberini families, which marked the beginning of his career as an artist.

Biography continued… He was deeply religious and attended mass every day and took communion twice a week. His religiosity and devotion to God were reflected in his works. At the height of his career he had many assistants in his work as a sculptor but only he could manage to work 7h a day without break. He was not only a sculptor but also an architect and a painter whose painting are recently reemerging.

Self-Portrait as a Young Man c.1623 Oil on canvas Galleria Borghese, Rome

Works Bernini’s works were influenced by his study of Greek sculpture in Rome as well as the works of Michelangelo and Renaissance in the 16 th c. Through his work with dimensions and shades as well as his architectural masterpieces he established the Baroque movement in Italy, that after his death was prolonged by other artists through out Europe.

Works Continued… His early works are realistic and designed to be viewed from a single point of view like the works of Michelangelo. Bernini worked under the patronage of a cardinal and several popes. When his chief patron M. Brberini, was made Pope Urban VIII, Bernini was commissioned to work on the interior of St. Peter’s Cathedral.

St. Peter’s Cathedral Bernini had to ennoble its interior and he achieved this by constructing a baldacchino over the altar. He also attempted to build several bell towers which in the course of their construction had to be pulled down as the main building began to crumble under their weight.

St. Peter’s Cathedral Continued… Bernini designed a St’ Peter’s throne below the baldacchino and moved several sarcophagus around and made several new once. Finally he build St. Peter’s Square to its present size making it the largest in the world. He also worked on several other churches and fountains in Rome.

Works continued… Charity with four children Terracotta, height 39cm Museo Sacro, Musei Vaticani, Vatican

Fontana della Barcaccia Marble Piazza di Spagna, Rome

Fontana-del Tritone Travertine, over life- size Piazza-Barberini, Rome

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