Gian Lorenzo Bernini was born in Naples, Italy in 1598. He spent his life in different regions of Italy and was trained in the art of sculpting by his father who was a Florentine sculptor. Art was in Bernini from birth and throughout his life he created amazing works of art, which are still recognized today, centuries later. He is often refereed to as one of the “creators” of the Baroque period. His numerous sculptures were perfect representations of the Baroque period with their detail and strong emotions clearly sculpted. Each one of his sculptures exemplified the extent of his skills, however some received more recognition than others.

One of Bernini’s most famous sculptures is of David. There are other sculptures of David, however, his is unlike any of the others. He depicts David in motion with tension extremely visible on his face. This was the first sculpture of his which was recognized and acknowledged as the great work of art it truly was. David was created between 1623-1624 and it stands five feet and seven inches high in the Galleria Borghese, in Rome.

The Ecstasy of Theresa is another sculpture of his which is quite famous, done between 1644-1647. It was made for the Cornaro Chapel of the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, in Rome. Saint Theresa wrote religious narratives, one in which she described her relationship with god as a “burning arrow piercing through her heart”. Bernini took those words and created the sculpture as a literal translation of her words about god.

The sculpture of Emperor Constantine, which was sculpted between 1654-1670 out of pure marble, is another one of Bernini’s marvellous works of art. It is located in the Palazzi Pontifici, Vatican, in Rome. The sculpture is made out of marble, as are his others however there are drapes as well in the sculpture which are made out of stucco.

Apollo and Daphne is another famous sculpture done by Bernini which depicted the two standing near each other looking as though they are in motion. Apollo’s left arm is resting on Daphne’s left hip as they are moving. This was done in 1622-25 and stands at a more than lifelike 243 cm, almost two and a half meters. This sculpture is in the Galleria Borghese, in Rome.

As one of the creators of the Baroque period Bernini’s sculptures are great examples of the Baroque period. Each one of his sculptures has the detail and emotion which is relative with that time period of art. As well he included drama in all his sculptures whether it be in the form of body language or facial expression.

Overall, Bernini was an artistic genius. He followed in his father’s footsteps however he attained fame which his father fell short off. He created sculptures more lifelike than most and with impeccable detail. His works were creative and unlike anything else. His ability to create not one but multiple sculptures that depicted his talent is one of the reasons he is still known around the world today, centuries later, and will still be recognized in the centuries to come.