Biography
Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598 - 1680) was the greatest artist of the 17th century.
He became the leading sculptor of the Baroque style, creating dynamic and exuberant works that expressed emotion and movement.
Early Years
Bernini was born in Naples in 1598, the son of a Florentine sculptor, Pietro Bernini. He was trained by his father from a very young age. He created his first bust at the age of thirteen, which earned him praise from many art critics across Italy. He excelled in every genre of sculpture, architecture, painting and drawing.
Patronage of Urban VIII
In 1623 under the patronage of Pop Urban VIII, Bernini entered a period of enormous productivity and artistic development. Bernini began to produce new and different kinds of monuments and architecture. His first architectural work was the remodeled Church of Santa Bibiana in Rome. He was also commissioned to build a symbolic structure over the tomb of St. Peter in St. Peter's Basilica.
Patronage of Innocent X and Alexander VII
From the mid 1640s to 1660s, under the patronage of Pope Innocent X and Alexander VII, Bernini created the most spectular public monuments. The Fountain of the Four Rivers in Rome's Piazza Navona (1648-51) supports on ancient Egyption obelisk over a hollowed-out rock, surmounted by four marble figures symbolizing four major rivers of the world.
Later Years
Bernini remained physically and mentally active in his profession until his death which came as a result of a stroke in 1680. His greatest late work is the Altieri Chapel in San Francesco (1674) in Rome. Bernini consciously separated architecture, sculpture, and painting for different roles. Bernini died at the age of 81 after having served eight Popes. He was widely considered Europe greatest artist and the father of Baroque Art he helped create.