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

Frans Pourbus II (1569 - 1622)
Frans Pourbus II
1569 - 1622
Livio Castiglioni (1911 - 1979)
Livio Castiglioni
1911 - 1979
Giovanni Andrea Podestà (Podesta) (1608 - 1673)
Giovanni Andrea Podestà (Podesta)
1608 - 1673
Andrea Di Bonaiuto (1319 - 1377)
Andrea Di Bonaiuto
1319 - 1377
Howard Pyle (1853 - 1911)
Howard Pyle
1853 - 1911
Pietro Lorenzetti (1280 - 1348)
Pietro Lorenzetti
1280 - 1348
Giulio Paolini (1940)
Giulio Paolini
1940
Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585 - 1635)
Giuseppe Vermiglio
1585 - 1635
Francesco Ruschi (1600 - 1661)
Francesco Ruschi
1600 - 1661
Beniamino Benvenuto Bufano (1898 - 1970)
Beniamino Benvenuto Bufano
1898 - 1970
Johann Karl Loth (1632 - 1698)
Johann Karl Loth
1632 - 1698
Luigi Panzeri (1865 - 1939)
Luigi Panzeri
1865 - 1939
Carel de Vogelaer (1653 - 1695)
Carel de Vogelaer
1653 - 1695
Carlo Alfano (1932 - 1990)
Carlo Alfano
1932 - 1990
Vincenzo Di Antonio Frediani (1481 - 1505)
Vincenzo Di Antonio Frediani
1481 - 1505
Giannino Castiglioni (1884 - 1971)
Giannino Castiglioni
1884 - 1971

Creators Baroque

Johannes Eckstein (1735 - 1817)
Johannes Eckstein
1735 - 1817
Maria Giovanna Clementi (1692 - 1761)
Maria Giovanna Clementi
1692 - 1761
Jan Lievens I (1607 - 1674)
Jan Lievens I
1607 - 1674
Francesco Albani (1578 - 1660)
Francesco Albani
1578 - 1660
Giacomo Parolini (1663 - 1733)
Giacomo Parolini
1663 - 1733
Christian Gottlieb Steinlen (1779 - 1847)
Christian Gottlieb Steinlen
1779 - 1847
Nicola Federici (1747 - 1808)
Nicola Federici
1747 - 1808
Jeremiah Davison (1695 - 1745)
Jeremiah Davison
1695 - 1745
Jean-Baptiste van Moerkercke (1623 - 1689)
Jean-Baptiste van Moerkercke
1623 - 1689
Antonio Tibaldi (1633 - 1684)
Antonio Tibaldi
1633 - 1684
 Le Nain brothers ()
Le Nain brothers
Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574 - 1625)
Giulio Cesare Procaccini
1574 - 1625
Clemente Ruta (1685 - 1767)
Clemente Ruta
1685 - 1767
Peter Paul Rubens (1577 - 1640)
Peter Paul Rubens
1577 - 1640
Louis Boullogne (1654 - 1733)
Louis Boullogne
1654 - 1733
Nicolas Robert (1614 - 1685)
Nicolas Robert
1614 - 1685
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