august's educational post (just in the nick of time)

If you've read the book or seen the movie "Angels and Demons,"  you might remember that Robert Langdon was following the "Path of Illumination" that was found in clues left in the art of Gianlorenzo Bernini.  When I read the book, long before the movie came out, I was so excited that someone else was mentioning the art of my favorite artist of all time - I couldn't put it down.  So, I thought I'd share a bit of info (and many pictures) on this man who many people had never heard of before Dan Brown decided to feature his art in a book...

"Bernini, Gianlorenzo (1598-1680): Italian sculptor, architect and painter. He was the son of a sculptor and studied with his father who also helped him gain early patronage. Apollo and Daphne shows Daphne trying to escape from the pursuing Apollo and turning into a laurel tree as she does so. The observer must walk around the sculpture to witness Daphne's transformation, thus denying a unitary viewpoint. This type of multiple viewpoint was common in Mannerist sculpture, but in works such as David, Bernini goes a step further and shows David in the process of slinging a stone at the imaginary Goliath, who seemingly occupies a place behind the observer of the sculpture.

Virtuosity of design and conception was complemented by a willingness to use different sorts of marble, as well as both painting and architecture to enhance sculptural form. Bernini's facility drew him to the attention of Pope Urban VIII (Barberini), who made him the principal architect for St. Peter's in 1629. In this capacity, he contributed both the Baldacchino (1624-33), with its mingling of architectural and sculptural features, the Cathedra Petri (Throne of St. Peter) (1657-65) and the oval colonnade surrounding the forecourt. He also produced for St. Peter's the tomb of Urban VIII, with its rich mixture of materials. Bernini also contributed fountains and churches (e.g. S. Andrea al Quirinale) to Rome, and with Borromini, Cortona and others, he helped give Rome a Baroque aspect.

Urban VIII's successor, Innocent X, was less impressed with Bernini's ability; but Bernini was not short of commissions and during this time, he produced the Ecstasy of St. Theresa for the Cornaro Chapel in Santa Maria della Vittoria (1645-52). He also produced a number of portrait busts, which revealed his facility for capturing character. In 1665-6 he went to Paris following the invitation of Louis XIV, who wished to make use of his skills as an architect. However, the trip was not very successful and resulted in little but an elaborate portrait bust of Louis XIV. Bernini was best known for his blending of media, which gave his sculpture the fluidity of painting and his architecture the plasticity of sculpture. His popularity declined after his death and he was an anathema to generations of academic artists who favoured a more classical style."
- From The Bulfinch Guide to Art History 






Here are a few of my favorite pieces by Bernini:

Blessed Ludovica Albertoni

Portraying religious ecstasy.  Sheesh!  This is almost like 17th Century porn...in a church.

The Rape of Proserpina

Bernini did this at the ripe old age of 23!  The style is complete mannerism, but check out the detail of his fingers pressing into her flesh.  It's hard to believe this is marble.

The Gates of Hell

I love the way the red marble is fashioned to look like fabric against the bronze skeleton.

Okay, there's your bit of art information for a while.  Hope I was able to clue you in to some pretty awesome stuff.  Now on with the non-educational stuff...