Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) was the most influential sculptor of his age. Inventive and skilled, he virtually created the Baroque style. In his religious sculptures he excelled at capturing movement and extreme emotion, uniting figures with their setting to create a single conception of overwhelming intensity that expressed the fervour of Counter-Reformation Rome. Intensity and drama also characterize his portraits and world-famous Roman fountains.
the man truly was a genius. We have the same birthday. He sculpted "The Rape of Persephone" when he was 17 (possibly with help from his father, but mutherfuckin' STILL!!!)
my jealousy is as big as a really big something. one day i hope people will mention our names in the same sentence...even if that sentence is:
"Chris Ouellette and GL Bernini had the same birthday...and that's about where the similarites end." --that'd be sweet!
This book is just beautiful! Not only because the work portrayed is divine but because the photographs by Pino Guidolotti communicate that divinity most magnetically. I can't believe I've lived so long without it, and I'm even more surprised that so few people at Goodreads have laid their hands on it! Get thee to a bookstore!
I think Bernini was a genius. Having recently visited Italy, specifically Rome and Florence I was able to see his work first hand. Truly an experience to see marble transformed into delicate pieces of artwork. I loved learning more about Bernini through this book, a great reference to his work.