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

Lorenzo Burchiellaro (1933 - 2017)
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Taddeo Zuccaro (1529 - 1566)
Taddeo Zuccaro
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Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli (1573 - 1625)
Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli
1573 - 1625
Turi Simeti (1929 - 2021)
Turi Simeti
1929 - 2021
Ludovico Mazzanti (1686 - 1775)
Ludovico Mazzanti
1686 - 1775
Barbara Longhi (1552 - 1638)
Barbara Longhi
1552 - 1638
Martín Rico y Ortega (1833 - 1908)
Martín Rico y Ortega
1833 - 1908
Eleuterio Pagliano (1826 - 1903)
Eleuterio Pagliano
1826 - 1903
Mario Bellini (1935)
Mario Bellini
1935
Carlo Maria Mariani (1931 - 2021)
Carlo Maria Mariani
1931 - 2021
Guido Reni (1575 - 1642)
Guido Reni
1575 - 1642
Karel Dujardin (1626 - 1678)
Karel Dujardin
1626 - 1678
Angelo Barabino (1883 - 1950)
Angelo Barabino
1883 - 1950
Gioacchino Assereto (1600 - 1649)
Gioacchino Assereto
1600 - 1649
Paul Troger (1698 - 1762)
Paul Troger
1698 - 1762
Giovanni Di Bartolomeo Cristiani (1340 - 1398)
Giovanni Di Bartolomeo Cristiani
1340 - 1398

Creators Baroque

Joseph Vivien (1657 - 1735)
Joseph Vivien
1657 - 1735
Domenico Peruzzini (1602 - ?)
Domenico Peruzzini
1602 - ?
Guglielmo Borremans (1672 - 1744)
Guglielmo Borremans
1672 - 1744
James Thornhill (1675 - 1734)
James Thornhill
1675 - 1734
Joshua Shaw (1776 - 1860)
Joshua Shaw
1776 - 1860
Giovanni Battista Pasqualini (1595 - 1631)
Giovanni Battista Pasqualini
1595 - 1631
Nicola Federici (1747 - 1808)
Nicola Federici
1747 - 1808
David Teniers I (1582 - 1649)
David Teniers I
1582 - 1649
David van der Plas (1647 - 1704)
David van der Plas
1647 - 1704
Jacopo da Empoli (1551 - 1640)
Jacopo da Empoli
1551 - 1640
Bartolomeo Guidobono (1654 - 1709)
Bartolomeo Guidobono
1654 - 1709
Jan Pieter van Baurscheit (1669 - 1728)
Jan Pieter van Baurscheit
1669 - 1728
Frans Snyders (1579 - 1657)
Frans Snyders
1579 - 1657
Pieter Steenwijck (1615 - 1666)
Pieter Steenwijck
1615 - 1666
Henri-Horace Roland Delaporte (1724 - 1793)
Henri-Horace Roland Delaporte
1724 - 1793
Johan Matthias Schöning (XVIII century - ?)
Johan Matthias Schöning
XVIII century - ?
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