ART 263 / MAN 263
The Business of Art

 Gianlorenzo Bernini was born in 1598, the son of a sculptor - as sons often followed in their fathers' careers. (Bernini's father's work can be seen at the bottom of the Spanish steps in Rome in a fountain in the shape of a ship). The elder Bernini moved to Rome in 1605 to work for Pope Paul V. Bernini, by the age 20, was working for Cardinal Borghese. Interestingly enough, although the Church's new rules for art asked for religious imagery, no nudity, the cardinal commissioned many pagan themes for his home. In the Villa Borghese you can see Aeneas and Anchises (1618-19), The Rape of Proserpina 1621-22, Apollo and Daphne (1622-24 as shown to the left) and a religious work, the David of 1623.  Bernini also created many fountains for the city of Rome, including the Triton Fountain (1642-3 shown to the right) and the Fountain of the Four Rivers (1848-51). This latter work, however, does have Counter reformation symbolism and was a church commission.

The bulk of Benini's work is in St. Peter's. From 1623, until his death in 1680, most of Bernini's time was spent embellishing the basilica.

     The Baldacchino (1624-33)

Twisted columns of bronze call to mind the original columns of St. Peters and before that the columns of Soloman's temple. It marks the spot of St Peter's grave and is a symbol the resurgent strength of the church. Putti hold the papal tiara and the cross represents a united Christendom. Bees, emblems of Pope Urban VIII's is family are in the guide vines climbing the columns. It was the first Baroque monument of world significance.

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