As mentioned in the last two posts, one of the main highlights of the excellent Galleria Borghese in Rome, is the collection of works by the incredibly talented Bernini. Gian Lorenzo Bernini was an Italian architect and artist born in Naples and who predominantly worked in Rome.
He started life as a child prodigy and learned to draw under his father, a sculptor and only really painted in his early years. As an artist, he is better known for his lifelike sculptural work and his architectural feats under papal patronage. Considered the greatest sculptor of his age, he may be a less familiar name to many today but his work will stick with you forever upon seeing it.
Just find a vacation rental in Rome and head to the Galleria Borghese, which has a rather exceptional collection of his works as Borghese was an important patron and great fan. Here are some highlights.
He started life as a child prodigy and learned to draw under his father, a sculptor and only really painted in his early years. As an artist, he is better known for his lifelike sculptural work and his architectural feats under papal patronage. Considered the greatest sculptor of his age, he may be a less familiar name to many today but his work will stick with you forever upon seeing it.
Just find a vacation rental in Rome and head to the Galleria Borghese, which has a rather exceptional collection of his works as Borghese was an important patron and great fan. Here are some highlights.
5. The Rape of Proserpina, Bernini, 1621-1622
A mythological scene, The Rape of Proserpina is a sculptural work that depicts the kidnapping of Proserpina by the God of the Underworld, Pluto.
Completed in 1622 when Bernini was just 23 years old, it is considered one of his masterpieces, if not his best work, due to his use of the materials. Under Bernini's touch, marble is as flesh.
This is particularly evident if we look at Pluto's hands upon Proserpina's thigh and side, sinking against her skin as if she were real. It is an astounding feat in of itself but combined with the drama of the scene and the believability of the expressions, it is stunning and certainly, one of the most impressive works in the gallery.
A mythological scene, The Rape of Proserpina is a sculptural work that depicts the kidnapping of Proserpina by the God of the Underworld, Pluto.
Completed in 1622 when Bernini was just 23 years old, it is considered one of his masterpieces, if not his best work, due to his use of the materials. Under Bernini's touch, marble is as flesh.
This is particularly evident if we look at Pluto's hands upon Proserpina's thigh and side, sinking against her skin as if she were real. It is an astounding feat in of itself but combined with the drama of the scene and the believability of the expressions, it is stunning and certainly, one of the most impressive works in the gallery.
6. Apollo and Daphne, Bernini, 1622-1625
Another of Bernini's most famous and mind-boggling works, this sculpture in shows the nymph, Daphne being chased by the God, Apollo. As he reaches her, however, she sends a prayer to her father, a river god. She wishes to be saved from Apollo and, to do so, he transforms her into a tree. In the sculpture we see the transformation happen. Daphne's arms become branches and a trunk appears beneath her. As you walk around the sculpture, you see this in increments, so it seems as though happening before your eyes; seeing this piece first-hand is a truly magical experience.
In fact, as the works of Bernini are so stunning, read on to one last post in this series with some more picks of highlights of the collection by the master sculptor.
Another of Bernini's most famous and mind-boggling works, this sculpture in shows the nymph, Daphne being chased by the God, Apollo. As he reaches her, however, she sends a prayer to her father, a river god. She wishes to be saved from Apollo and, to do so, he transforms her into a tree. In the sculpture we see the transformation happen. Daphne's arms become branches and a trunk appears beneath her. As you walk around the sculpture, you see this in increments, so it seems as though happening before your eyes; seeing this piece first-hand is a truly magical experience.
In fact, as the works of Bernini are so stunning, read on to one last post in this series with some more picks of highlights of the collection by the master sculptor.
Photo credits
picture 1: Alvesgaspar / CC BY-SA 4.0;
picture 2: Int3gr4te / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Alvesgaspar / CC BY-SA 4.0
picture 1: Alvesgaspar / CC BY-SA 4.0;
picture 2: Int3gr4te / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Alvesgaspar / CC BY-SA 4.0
