Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598 - 1680)

Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598 - 1680) - photo 1

Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini, an Italian artist, is celebrated as one of the most remarkable sculptors and architects of the Baroque era. Born in Naples in 1598, Bernini's family moved to Rome when he was a child, where he spent most of his life shaping the city's artistic landscape. His prodigious talent emerged early, evident in works created in collaboration with his father, Pietro Bernini, and soon caught the attention of influential patrons like Cardinal Scipione Borghese and Pope Paul V.

Bernini's work, characterized by dynamic and exuberant style, spanned various genres including portraiture, tomb sculpture, and religious and mythological representations. His ability to turn marble into lifelike figures and scenes, blending realism with emotional intensity, was unparalleled. Key works like "Aeneas and Anchises," "Pluto and Proserpina," and "Apollo and Daphne" exemplify this mastery.

Not confined to sculpture, Bernini was also an accomplished architect, contributing significantly to the architectural landscape of Rome. His involvement with St. Peter's Basilica, notably the Baldacchino and the design of St. Peter's Square, reflect his vision of merging architecture with sculpture to create a cohesive and impactful experience. His work on the Cornaro Chapel, including the famous "The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa," showcases this integration, combining sculpture, architecture, and light to stunning effect.

Bernini's influence extended beyond Rome. In 1665, he was invited by Louis XIV to France to work on the Louvre, though his architectural designs were not realized. His portrait bust of Louis XIV, however, remains a testament to his skill in capturing not just the likeness but the essence of his subjects.

A man of deep faith, Bernini's works often reflected his religious devotion, though he was also known for his caricatures and playful sketches, revealing a lighter side to his personality. His artistic legacy, characterized by the fusion of various art forms and the dramatic use of light and space, continues to influence and inspire.

For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Bernini's works remain a pinnacle of Baroque artistry, a testament to his innovative spirit and technical brilliance. His pieces, found in museums and galleries, continue to draw admiration for their emotional depth and exquisite craftsmanship.

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Date and place of birt:7 december 1598, Naples, Italy
Date and place of death:28 november 1680, Rome, Italy
Nationality:Italy
Period of activity: XVI, XVII century
Specialization:Architect, Artist, Sculptor
Art school / group:Italian school
Genre:Portrait sculpture, Mythological painting
Art style:Baroque

Creators Italy

Giangiacomo Spadari (1938 - 1997)
Giangiacomo Spadari
1938 - 1997
Karl Pavlovich Bryullov (1799 - 1852)
Karl Pavlovich Bryullov
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Dietisalvi Di Speme (1250 - 1291)
Dietisalvi Di Speme
1250 - 1291
Franz Adam (1815 - 1886)
Franz Adam
1815 - 1886
Memo Vagaggini (1892 - 1955)
Memo Vagaggini
1892 - 1955
Benedetto Castelli (1577 - 1643)
Benedetto Castelli
1577 - 1643
Giulio Paolini (1940)
Giulio Paolini
1940
Silvestro Lega (1826 - 1895)
Silvestro Lega
1826 - 1895
Uwe Bangert (1927 - 2017)
Uwe Bangert
1927 - 2017
Benedetto Di Bindo (1380 - 1417)
Benedetto Di Bindo
1380 - 1417
Alexander Grigoryevich Varnek (1782 - 1843)
Alexander Grigoryevich Varnek
1782 - 1843
Сesare Сorte (1554 - 1613)
Сesare Сorte
1554 - 1613
Jacopo Tintoretto (1518 - 1594)
Jacopo Tintoretto
1518 - 1594
Cristoforo Cortese (1399 - 1445)
Cristoforo Cortese
1399 - 1445
Jan Kupecky (1667 - 1740)
Jan Kupecky
1667 - 1740
Simone Martini (1284 - 1344)
Simone Martini
1284 - 1344

Creators Baroque

Dionigi Valesi (1730 - 1780)
Dionigi Valesi
1730 - 1780
Jan Micker (1598 - 1664)
Jan Micker
1598 - 1664
Giuseppe Bazzani (1690 - 1769)
Giuseppe Bazzani
1690 - 1769
Francesc Ribalta (1565 - 1628)
Francesc Ribalta
1565 - 1628
Christoph Gluck (1714 - 1787)
Christoph Gluck
1714 - 1787
Giuseppe Bonati (1635 - 1681)
Giuseppe Bonati
1635 - 1681
Joachim Govertsz Camphuysen (1601 - 1659)
Joachim Govertsz Camphuysen
1601 - 1659
Gabriel Bodenehr I (1664 - 1758)
Gabriel Bodenehr I
1664 - 1758
Francesco Ubertini Verdi (1494 - 1557)
Francesco Ubertini Verdi
1494 - 1557
Jan Abrahamsz Beerstraaten (1622 - 1666)
Jan Abrahamsz Beerstraaten
1622 - 1666
Antoine Benoist (1632 - 1717)
Antoine Benoist
1632 - 1717
John Heaviside Clark (1771 - 1863)
John Heaviside Clark
1771 - 1863
Francesco Fernandi (1679 - 1740)
Francesco Fernandi
1679 - 1740
Luca Carlevaris (1663 - 1730)
Luca Carlevaris
1663 - 1730
Jan Karel Donatus van Beecq (1638 - 1722)
Jan Karel Donatus van Beecq
1638 - 1722
Johann Michael Feuchtmayer (1709 - 1772)
Johann Michael Feuchtmayer
1709 - 1772