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"Art In Rome"

Rome Tourist Guide Living Culture  

Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Bernini was born in Naples in 1598, but he spent the majority of his career in Rome. Although he ventured into painting from time to time, Bernini was primarily an architect and sculptor, trained by his own father, the artist Pietro Bernini.

He is considered to have been one of the main catalysts in the development of the baroque style. He was inspired by both classic and realistic schools of art and masters like Michelangelo, but Bernini was primarily concerned with how to draw in and captivate the spectator. He wanted the spectator to become part of his work, which led him to infuse both his architecture and sculpture with powerful imagery, monumental proportions and strong, clear emotions. Whether you like Bernini's work or not is a matter of taste, but no one can deny the sheer, overwhelming power it exudes.

There is no place like Rome when it comes to appreciating Bernini's work, which adorns facades and the interiors of churches and palaces throughout the city. Bernini achieved the pinnacle of his success in this city, especially with his stunning work in the Vatican. Both the Piazza San Pietro and much of the Basilica's interior display his unmistakable style. He was the obvious candidate for the job, considering that most of his career was linked to the pontiffs and the commissions they gave him. He was somehow perfectly in tune with the Vatican's expectations and succinctly understood how the pontiffs wanted the Catholic Church portrayed. One of his most noteworthy pieces is the impressive baldachin that he fashioned for the Basilica. With this monumental bronze altar, Bernini sought to portray the superiority of divine power over earthly power. Completing the stunning effect is the immense cupola, work of the Renaissance genius Michelangelo, which curves high above the enormous altar. The Piazza San Pietro (Saint Peter's Square) is yet another example of Bernini's masterful architecture. He not only worked on the square's design but also created the 140 statues along the cornice that surrounds the elliptical square.

In addition to his work for the Vatican, Bernini also built and embellished several palaces that are now considered authentic Roman landmarks. Many of them are now used as museums, and in many instances the buildings are as much of an attraction as the art inside them. This is definitely the case with the Barberini, Montecittorio and Odescalcci palaces. One of his most celebrated pieces is the monumental fountain that adorns the centre of the Piazza Navona. The Fontana dei Quattro Fuimi exemplifies Bernini's fascination with the human form, his incredible ability to render movement and the strong expressive quality he always looked for in his work.

Bernini was highly respected in his day and enjoyed the prestige and protection that came with being one of the Vatican's favourite artists. This, however, did not always earn him the best of friends. The enmity that existed between Bernini and Borromini, his great rival, has taken on legendary proportions. The two artists spent a lifetime finding fault with one another's work and person, a rift that provided ample gossip for Rome's many social circles.