Customer Reviews

Bernini

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Wittkower's work is simply stated an artistic anthology of the achievements and life of the chief architect of the Roman Baroque. His perseptive commentary and pertinent factual information are extremely useful to all who attempt to comprehend the complex messages behind all of Bernini's work. While the author stays committed to rendering the artist as a sculptor and architect, one wishes that Wittkower would delve more into the environment, particularly political and religious movements, that continually serve as an impetus and background to Bernini's chef d'oeuvres. Regardless, Wittkower's inclusion of both color and detailed black and white plates allow the viewer to observe the Baroque master's works in their appropriate light.

Wittkower has created a book that is easily enjoyable for those familiar of Bernini, or those starting to learn about art/archetecture of the Baroque. I highly reccommend this book to anyone remotely interested in this period, as the photos are clear and the explanations are not filled with jargon a lay person could not understand. bravo.

With a breadth and output of work rivaling that of Michelangelo, Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) was one of the 17th century's most important artists. A devout Italian Catholic, he spent much of his life, and completed most of his work, in Rome, working under the patronage of various popes. His love of God and the spiritual intent in his work reminds me a little of JS Bach, though Bach was a lot less politically savvy. Like Bach, Bernini used his religious beliefs to reach for the sublime in his art, to take what came before and turn it into something more though the love of God.

It is probably this devotion to his faith, which included daily Mass, that led to perhaps his most revolutionary contribution to art: the synthesis of sculpture, painting, and architecture. He was concerned with the overall visual effect of a work- its theatricality- going so far as to place his sculptures at specific angles in a room to produce the desired effect. He also pioneered the use of natural light versus the standard painted light to intensify the spiritual impact of a work, most effectively employed in the Cornaro Chapel. St. Peter's Square, probably his most well-known (and seen, on television anyway) work, employs an ingenious use of the simplest classical columns, light, and open space to create a majestic place for the faithful to receive their pope.

But despite his broad artist endeavors, it is as a sculptor that Bernini will be most remembered, and which Rudolf Wittkower's classic study of the artist focuses. His sculptures rationalize the excess of the Mannerist sculptors, who reacted to the limits of the classical form by creating many extremities and multiple viewpoints. Bernini took on the single viewpoint of the classical and combined it with the energy of the Mannerists to form a focus of action, creating a narrative in marble. This can be best seen in his early works, such as Pluto & Proserpina, Apollo & Daphne, and David; and later Ecstasy of St Theresa.

Wittkower breaks Bernini's work into chunks based on theme: Early Works & Borghese Patronage, Religious Imagery, Portrait Busts, Chapels, Fountains & Monuments. He begins each section with a short analysis of the subject, no more than 3-5 pages. This leaves plenty of room for the pictures and allows the reader to linger over the work, which the reader will want to do. The book has dozens of black and white photos, showing the fine details of many works, details that highlight Bernini's genius. There are 30 more color plates after the main body of the book to allow a better view of some of the works where color is important, like The Ecstasy. Further, for the true students of the artist, the book finishes with a complete catalogue of Bernini's works, with a detailed history of each.

This book is a treasure and a must for any fan of Bernini or sculpture in general.

This book gives you an excellent view of the life and works of the extraordinary Roman baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini. His works are well documented and the pictures are well photographed and included are detailed pictures of his main works. Outstanding examples are "Pluto and Proserpine" and "Apollo and Daphne".

Gorgeous photographs in black and white; no way color could do these breathtaking works justice. Excellent close-ups of details. The only way to see them better is to go to Rome yourself. Gift recipient was as speechless as I was.

The plates represent a more accurate representation than many others I have seen but unfortunately the images seemed to be photographed with a strong focal length that compresses each image......preventing the works from being appreciated as a whole. (See them for real and you will understand)

The details are exquisite though.....and represent intensely the most beautiful aspects of Bernini's works.....

Plates 86 and 87 are some of my favorites.....and they detail some of the most beautiful aspects of Lodovicia......that Bernini expressed so passionately and so bravely.....

Wittkower writes concise and direct descriptive overviews of the different components to Bernini's works ....that can be appreciated on many levels.....

.......interestingly enough....Bernini mostly utilized cadavers as models....although his sculptures appear so alive....and full of passion.....

After seeing the Bernini busts at the Getty in LA I wanted to know more about some of his larger works. I now want to go back to Rome to "see" what I was only looking at when I was there. A beautiful book to share with friends.

sculptor. architect. child prodigy... Bernini's real name was Michaelangelo, but he hid the fact so that his own work would stand apart from that of the greatest sculptor of all time. Here is a tribute to a man who fufilled a great potential to create beauty in this world. The Galleria Borghese in Rome will attest to this. A wonderful volume about a truly incredible talent.