Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Happy Birthday Gian Lorenzo Bernini!! Italian sculptor and architect, born in 1598, Bernini is considered the most important Roman Baroque sculptor. His father was a sculptor and Gian Lorenzo himself a master of sculpting at age 8 and began receiving several commissions at the age of 16. He drew inspiration from Michelangelo. In addition to sculpting, Bernini also wrote and starred in plays as well as designed sets and composed music. It is said that he created Baroque, constantly searching for new ways of expression, even experimenting with mixed media of colored marble, bronze, stucco and colored glass with light shining through.  The figure Longinius, below, is sculpted from marble and represents the centurion who is said to have pierced Christ’s side during the crucifixion.