Ecstasy of St. Teresa: Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s Baroque Masterpiece

Ecstasy of St. Teresa

Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s Baroque Masterpiece

Introduction to Visual Art 1301 Section 004

Instructor: Bruce Bowman

Student: Barbara Turcotte

November 28, 2010

Ecstasy of St. Teresa

Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s Baroque Masterpiece

Outline

Thesis Statement:

Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini, (born Naples, Italy 1598-1680), is referred as the creator of the Baroque Style of sculpture. By analyzing the style and technique of his sculpture, Ecstasy of Saint Teresa (1647-1652 marble), Bernini’s baroque genius emerges showing aspects of religious and emotional expressiveness.

I. Brief History

a. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Baroque artist(born December 7, 1598 Naples, Italy, lived/worked Rome, Italy until his death 1680. Influenced by his first mentor Pietro Bernini. Career started early, considered prodigy making full marble bust before he was 10 years old. Surpassed his father as a skilled artisan. Was recognized by many influential patrons including papal patronage

b. Flourished under cardinal and pope patronage for most of his career and challenged contemporary artistic reasoning having an instrumental role is creating Baroque style art during the 17th century by showing extreme intensity and motion. Ability to have a tremendous artistic production period while having papal patronage.

c. Ecstasy of St. Teresa, located Cornaro Chapel Rome, Italy commissioned by Cardinal Frederico Coronaro, The Commission of Teresa of Avila, founder of Carmelite nuns, left the order to move to his home leave a name for his family after death, placed within a chapel he took control over in Rome

d. Thesis statement (see above).

II. Gian Lorenzo Bernini

a. Early years as a prodigy under Pietro Bernini who was his father, excelled in many forms of art not exclusively sculpture and working with marble but as an architect, painter, draftsman

b. Papal patronage recognition, becoming stand-alone sculptor and artist, soon

c....