The Prolific Sculptor and Architect From Italy - Bernini

As I was writing about my travel stories in Italy, I saw that a lot of times, Gian Lorenzo Bernini‘s amazing sculptures and architectural buildings were captured in photos. This famous Italian artist created a lot of beautiful masterpieces such as marble sculptures and paintings which are currently stored in galleries and museums. Besides that, he had designed churches and chapels that are still used by churchgoers, not to mention the elaborate public fountains and funerary monuments.

Bernini started his career under his father and gradually gained a name for himself. His Baroque’s style works had made him one of the worthy successor of Michelangelo for his generation.

Let me take you on a visual tour of what this prolific sculptor and architect had done to make our world a much more beautiful place.

The Prolific Bernini’s Sculptures

Aeneas, Anchises, and Ascanius by Bernini — Aeneas, Anchises, and Ascanius, which was an early work by Bernini.

Bernini got the inspiration for this sculpture from Aeneid (a Latin poem). The above depicts the moment where the hero Aeneas carried his father Anchises and led his son Ascanius from Troy to Italy. It was said that this work was very much influenced by Bernini’s father style, that is a rather lumpy handling of the figures.

The Rape of Proserpina by Bernini - in Galleria Borghese Rome — The Rape of Proserpina by Bernini

This later work shows the maturity of Bernini’s style with a realistic effect through the carving of hard marble, such as the texture of the skin and the flying ropes of hair. Both of the above sculptures are now in Galleria Borghese. Click here to see more artworks in Galleria Borghese.

The Prolific Architect – Bernini’s St Peter’s Colonnades and Baldachin

St. Peter's Colonnades designed by Bernini in Vatican City — St. Peter’s Colonnades designed by Bernini

Bernini's St. Peter's Baldachin in Vatican City — Bernini’s St. Peter’s Baldachin

Two of the most famous architectural works from Bernini where till today they are still admired by many people around the world. The massive structures both showcase his artistic vision and his love for Roman Baroque’s style.

These are only a few of his masterpieces. In my next post, I will feature more of Bernini’s works in Rome. So stay tuned. Until then, you can read about my other posts if you like to know more about Italy. Thanks for reading.

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