Bernini
The Artist Who
Breathed Life
into Marble
By Taylor Young
I
f you have ever been to Rome
or the Vatican, you have
definitely seen Bernini’s work.
He is a sculptor and architect
from the 17th century, who
has impacted the artistic and
cultural image of Rome under
patronage of cardinals and 8
Popes. He grew up with sculpture
in his father’s workshop and
showed promise early in his life.
It is said that, when he was just
8 years old, Bernini first made
a sculpture that amazed everyone
who looked at it (later on, it was
suggested he was actually a few
years older than that). From there,
he was commissioned by several
Catholic Church authority figures
throughout his life. His work has
amazed and splendidly decorated
Rome, and Bernini has been
deemed the artist who epitomized
the Baroque architectural and
artistic movement. Of course,
no famous art is without
controversy. Some of his works
are more known for the scandal
they created than for their
actual craftsmanship.
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