Bernini’s Innovations – Dianne L. Durante, Writing Addict + Adept

By Dianne L. Durante

Buy the Kindle book here.

Bernini’s Innovations begins with a description of three innovations by Bernini that changed the history of sculpture. The second part is a brief chronological survey of this Baroque sculptor’s life and major works.

This book was conceived as a wrap-around policy for enjoying the exhibition “Bernini: Sculpting in Clay,” on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art through January 6, 2013. I enjoyed the exhibition very much, but I’d have enjoyed it even more if the exhibition’s labels had focused more on Bernini’s unique accomplishments and less on his technique for working clay. The Bernini exhibition will move to the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas from February 3 to April 14, 2013.

If you can’t make it to New York or Fort Worth, Bernini’s Innovations is self-contained: sit back and enjoy the sight of a supremely skillful and innovative artist. If the sight of great minds at work fascinates you, the Bernini essay is a greatly expanded excerpt from Innovators in Sculpture.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Overview of Art History through Innovators
Overview of this essay

Part 1: Bernini’s Innovations

Innovation 1: Integration of many elements (Cornaro Chapel)
Innovation 2: Full three-dimensionality (Faun Teased by Children)
Innovation 3: Portraits that seem alive (Gabriele Fonseca)
Summary: Bernini’s innovations in sculpture

Part 2: Bernini’s Life and Works

Historic and artistic context
Bernini through his 20s (1598-1627)
Bernini in his 30s and 40s (1628-1647)
Bernini in his 50s through early 80s (1648-1680)
Summary of Bernini’s importance

Recommended Readings

List of Illustrations, including Photo Credits

More

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