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

Antonio Cimatori (Il Visacci) (1550 - 1623)
Antonio Cimatori (Il Visacci)
1550 - 1623
José Villalta Saavedra (1862 - 1912)
José Villalta Saavedra
1862 - 1912
Angelo Mangiarotti (1921 - 2012)
Angelo Mangiarotti
1921 - 2012
Maurizio Savini (1965)
Maurizio Savini
1965
Antonio Cavallucci (1752 - 1795)
Antonio Cavallucci
1752 - 1795
Marcel Jefferys (1872 - 1924)
Marcel Jefferys
1872 - 1924
Cristoforo De Amicis (1902 - 1987)
Cristoforo De Amicis
1902 - 1987
Franco Grignani (1908 - 1999)
Franco Grignani
1908 - 1999
Dirck Helmbreeker (1633 - 1696)
Dirck Helmbreeker
1633 - 1696
Giovanni Colombo (1908 - 1972)
Giovanni Colombo
1908 - 1972
Michelangelo Palloni (1637 - 1712)
Michelangelo Palloni
1637 - 1712
Piero Pizzi Cannella (1955)
Piero Pizzi Cannella
1955
Tomaso Buzzi (1900 - 1981)
Tomaso Buzzi
1900 - 1981
Crescenzio Onofri (1634 - 1698)
Crescenzio Onofri
1634 - 1698
Ippolito Caffi (1809 - 1866)
Ippolito Caffi
1809 - 1866
Maurizio Nannucci (1939)
Maurizio Nannucci
1939

Creators Baroque

Jacobus Melchior van Herck (1691 - 1735)
Jacobus Melchior van Herck
1691 - 1735
Guillaume Coustou (1677 - 1746)
Guillaume Coustou
1677 - 1746
Martin Hermann Faber (1587 - 1648)
Martin Hermann Faber
1587 - 1648
Antonio de Pereda (1611 - 1678)
Antonio de Pereda
1611 - 1678
Anton Wilhelm Tischbein (1730 - 1804)
Anton Wilhelm Tischbein
1730 - 1804
Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683 - 1764)
Jean-Philippe Rameau
1683 - 1764
John Donne (1572 - 1631)
John Donne
1572 - 1631
Klaes Molenaer (1626 - 1676)
Klaes Molenaer
1626 - 1676
Floris van Schooten (1585 - 1656)
Floris van Schooten
1585 - 1656
Hans Jakob Baur I ()
Hans Jakob Baur I
Charles-Edouard Calame (1815 - 1852)
Charles-Edouard Calame
1815 - 1852
Claes Moeyaert (1591 - 1655)
Claes Moeyaert
1591 - 1655
Pasquale Ottino (1578 - 1630)
Pasquale Ottino
1578 - 1630
Pieter van Bloemen (1657 - 1720)
Pieter van Bloemen
1657 - 1720
Johannes Kip (1653 - 1722)
Johannes Kip
1653 - 1722
Franciscus Gijsbrechts (1649 - 1677)
Franciscus Gijsbrechts
1649 - 1677