He’s one of the main Italian Baroque artists, known in every part of the world for his wonderful masterpieces. What distinguishes his artworks is the complexity of the positions, the fake perspectives, the great dinamism and the incredible scenographic composition. We’re talking about Gian Lorenzo Bernini, a sculptor who spent most of his life in Rome and who produced some beautiful works of art for Popes like Urban VIII or Innocent X.
Almost all his statues are conserved in the Roman museums, but it’s not easy to orient yourself between the tons of monuments that embellish this city. Here’s why we offer a guide to the places you need to visit to admire his wonderful sculptures to be able to see all of them in a few days!
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- Galleria Borghese
The museum is located inside Villa Borghese Pinciana in Rome, a palace dating back to the 17th century. Further to Berninis’ works, the rich collection that belonged to Scipione Borghese includes some masterpieces by Caravaggio, Canova or Titian. The first statue made by Bernini is the “Capra Amaltea”, a work dating back to 1609 presenting a goat breastfeeding Jupiter and a faun which was firstly believed Hellenic. There are also “Enea, Anchise and Ascanio” and the famous “Rape of Proserpina”, a wonderful work of art representing Pluton in the act of kidnapping the woman. Erotism, tragedy and an excellent technical ability in the making of soft silhouettes are the main features of this work. In the Gallery you will also find the “David”, which is a scenographic statue with a Biblic theme, the busts of Scipione Borghese and “Apollo and Daphne”, a stunning masterpiece portraying a nymph in the moment of her transformation into a laurel oak. If you wish to visit this museum, we remind you that it is necessary to book a ticket in large advance.
- Basilica di San Pietro
Bernini worked inside the main church of Rome for many years. For example, he made the majestic Canopy located in front of the altar under the commission of Pope Urban VIII and the resulti s just amazing: the monumental masterpiece is 30 meters high and it is richly decorated with various kinds of materials. Also, he worked on the square’s Colonnade in 1657 and chose to locate the columns in a way that tey “hugged” the worshippers reunited in front of the Pope. Bernini even produced the famous Saint Peter’s Pulpit, the funerary monument of Urban VIII, which is decorated with the allegories of Charity and Justice, and the wonderful monument of Pope Alexander VII.
- Piazza Barberini
This is one of Rome’s main squares and it hosts the amazing Fontana del Tritone, further to Palazzo Barberini, where Bernini worked for long.
- Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie
In this church, a wonderful work of art is conserved. It is called “Ecstasy of Saint Teresa d’Avila” and it is famous for the theatrality of expressions and incredible scenography.
- Piazza Navona
In this charming square of the old town center there is a stunninf fountain clleed Fontana dei Fiumi, representing the four main world riversa s allegories of the four continents. It’s a work that needs to be observed from different points of view and it is located in front of Palazzo Pamphilij, where Bernini also worked for some years.
© Alice Pilastri
