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

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Jannis Kounellis (1936 - 2017)
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Tommaso Redi (1665 - 1726)
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Cajetan Roos (1690 - 1770)
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1690 - 1770
Charles Mellin (1597 - 1649)
Charles Mellin
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Eugenio Zampighi (1859 - 1944)
Eugenio Zampighi
1859 - 1944
Marziale Carpinoni (1644 - 1722)
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1644 - 1722
Evaristo Baskenis (1617 - 1677)
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1617 - 1677
Tino di Camaino (1280 - 1337)
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1280 - 1337
Olga Mikhailovna Bernatsky (1899 - 1971)
Olga Mikhailovna Bernatsky
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Giovanni Andrea Sirani (1610 - 1670)
Giovanni Andrea Sirani
1610 - 1670
Stefano Calisti (1958)
Stefano Calisti
1958
Mirko Basaldella (1910 - 1969)
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1910 - 1969
Gigi Porceddu (1962)
Gigi Porceddu
1962
Cincinnato Baruzzi (1796 - 1878)
Cincinnato Baruzzi
1796 - 1878
Viviano Codazzi (1604 - 1670)
Viviano Codazzi
1604 - 1670

Creators Baroque

Bonaventura Peeters I (1614 - 1652)
Bonaventura Peeters I
1614 - 1652
Jean-Louis Prieur II (1759 - 1795)
Jean-Louis Prieur II
1759 - 1795
Bartolomé de Cárdenas (1575 - 1628)
Bartolomé de Cárdenas
1575 - 1628
Anthonie Jansz. van der Croos (1606 - 1662)
Anthonie Jansz. van der Croos
1606 - 1662
Jacob Adriaensz. Bellevois (1621 - 1676)
Jacob Adriaensz. Bellevois
1621 - 1676
Romeyn de Hooghe (1645 - 1708)
Romeyn de Hooghe
1645 - 1708
Giuseppe Moriani (1681 - 1731)
Giuseppe Moriani
1681 - 1731
Peter Strudel (1660 - 1714)
Peter Strudel
1660 - 1714
Jacob de Gheyn III (1596 - 1641)
Jacob de Gheyn III
1596 - 1641
Jacques Callot (1592 - 1635)
Jacques Callot
1592 - 1635
Johannes Kip (1653 - 1722)
Johannes Kip
1653 - 1722
Charles-Edouard Calame (1815 - 1852)
Charles-Edouard Calame
1815 - 1852
Hans Jakob Nüscheler I (1583 - 1654)
Hans Jakob Nüscheler I
1583 - 1654
Lorenzo Pasinelli (1629 - 1700)
Lorenzo Pasinelli
1629 - 1700
Pierre Puget (1620 - 1694)
Pierre Puget
1620 - 1694
Willem van Aelst (1627 - 1683)
Willem van Aelst
1627 - 1683
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