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

Cincinnato Baruzzi (1796 - 1878)
Cincinnato Baruzzi
1796 - 1878
Giacinto Calandrucci (1646 - 1707)
Giacinto Calandrucci
1646 - 1707
Antonio Galli Bibiena (1697 - 1774)
Antonio Galli Bibiena
1697 - 1774
Antonio Pisanello (1395 - 1455)
Antonio Pisanello
1395 - 1455
Pietro Benvenuti (1769 - 1844)
Pietro Benvenuti
1769 - 1844
Fyodor Semyonovich Bogorodsky (1895 - 1959)
Fyodor Semyonovich Bogorodsky
1895 - 1959
Matteo di Giovanni Di Bartolo (1430 - 1495)
Matteo di Giovanni Di Bartolo
1430 - 1495
Carl Wilhelm Götzloff (1799 - 1866)
Carl Wilhelm Götzloff
1799 - 1866
Giancarlo Piretti (1940)
Giancarlo Piretti
1940
Andrea Appiani (1754 - 1817)
Andrea Appiani
1754 - 1817
Roberto Mangou (1948)
Roberto Mangou
1948
Pietro Aldi (1852 - 1888)
Pietro Aldi
1852 - 1888
Elin Danielson-Gamboji (1861 - 1919)
Elin Danielson-Gamboji
1861 - 1919
Bartolomeo Bimbi (1648 - 1729)
Bartolomeo Bimbi
1648 - 1729
Theodor Martens (1822 - 1884)
Theodor Martens
1822 - 1884
Bengt (Benedict) Erland Fogelberg (1786 - 1854)
Bengt (Benedict) Erland Fogelberg
1786 - 1854

Creators Baroque

Anthonie Jansz. van der Croos (1606 - 1662)
Anthonie Jansz. van der Croos
1606 - 1662
J.P. van Wijck (XVII century)
J.P. van Wijck
XVII century
Adam de Coster (1586 - 1643)
Adam de Coster
1586 - 1643
Andrea de Leone (1610 - 1685)
Andrea de Leone
1610 - 1685
Jean-François Janinet (1752 - 1814)
Jean-François Janinet
1752 - 1814
Pietro Antoniani (1740 - 1805)
Pietro Antoniani
1740 - 1805
Moyses van Uyttenbroeck (1600 - 1646)
Moyses van Uyttenbroeck
1600 - 1646
Salomon Rombouts (1650 - 1702)
Salomon Rombouts
1650 - 1702
John Michael Wright (1617 - 1694)
John Michael Wright
1617 - 1694
Hyacinthe Rigaud (1659 - 1743)
Hyacinthe Rigaud
1659 - 1743
Jan Vermeer (1632 - 1675)
Jan Vermeer
1632 - 1675
Jan van Bijlert (1597 - 1671)
Jan van Bijlert
1597 - 1671
Michelangelo Cinganelli (1558 - 1635)
Michelangelo Cinganelli
1558 - 1635
Jacobus Mancadan (1602 - 1680)
Jacobus Mancadan
1602 - 1680
Antonio Rossi (1700 - 1753)
Antonio Rossi
1700 - 1753
Joseph Parrocel (1646 - 1704)
Joseph Parrocel
1646 - 1704
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