Rome may be better known for its amazing works by Michelangelo, but you would be remiss not to take the time to search out the works of Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1690). Credited with inventing the Baroque style, Bernini has left his mark on every part of the Eternal City. He was a sculptor, a painter, an architect and an engineer, prolific and heavily favoured by rich benefactors such as popes and royalty. Bernini’s work is easily accessible and well preserved. If you have been to Rome you know Bernini.
We favour his sculptures so found a visit to the Borghese Gallery to be an ecstatic indulgence in all things Bernini. Four of our top five can be found there.
- Apollo and Daphne, 1625
Based on the Greek myth of the romantic Apollo who, encouraged by Cupid’s arrow, chased the beautiful Daphne. She however was not as enamoured and as Apollo’s hands reach for her she turns into a tree, sprouting roots from her toes and leaves from her fingers. The statue captures this exact moment, frozen eternally in time.
- David, 1624
A common artistic theme based on the bible story of David and Goliath, Bernini’s version is again a moment frozen in time, as fluid as his Apollo and Daphne. David is twisted and poised, rock cradled in the sling, ready to take out the unseen Goliath. His expression is determined, his face a self-portrait of the artist himself.
- The Rape of Proserpina, 1622
Back to Greek mythology, this statue shows Pluto, King of the Underworld, roughly handling the beautiful Proserpina, an unwilling participant in an arranged union. The sense of desperation is evident in Proserpina ineffectual struggles and heart wrenching tears. One of the more fascinating aspects of this statute is the three headed dog Cerberus, who guards the gates of hell. His triumphant howl accentuates the inevitable success of his master.
- Aeneas, Anchises and Ascanius, 1618-1619
As Aeneas escapes his home in Troy he carries with him his most important things; his father and his son. The sense of defeat is evident in his shocked and desolate expression. The masterful sculpture is best appreciated by looking at how Bernini deals with flesh, from the fat rounded curves of the young son, to the wrinkled and sagging skin of the grandfather. Although one of his earliest work it displays his mastery.
- Teresa in Ecstacy, 1647-1652
This statute is located inside the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria which was richly decorated in the Baroque style during the 17th century. The swooning Teresa has been stabbed by God’s arrow of fire and swoons as the angel pulls it out. The statute is lit by actual sunlight that pours through the windows, making its setting an integral part of its allure.
Even if you do not have time to visit the galleries or churches where most of Bernini’s works are housed you can see more of his work in piazza’s, on bridges, on street corners and adorning buildings. Another favourite was The Fountain of the Four Rivers, 1651, located in the middle of the Piazza Navona (a wonderful place to visit in itself). Representing the four corners of the globe as it was known at the time, the river gods and their illustrative iconography surround an Egyptian obelisk. There is so much to absorb that it cannot be done in one viewing. Take the time to walk around the fountain, noticing the flora and fauna, rearing horses, and features of the people representative of their native lands. The four rivers are from continents where the Catholic Church was recognized at the time and include the Nile to represent Africa, the Danube of Europe, The Ganges of Asia and the Rio De La Plata from the Americas.