Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) was the most influential sculptor of his age. Inventive and skilled, he virtually created the Baroque style. In his religious sculptures he excelled at capturing movement and extreme emotion, uniting figures with their setting to create a single conception of overwhelming intensity that expressed the fervour of Counter-Reformation Rome. Intensity and drama also characterize his portraits and world-famous Roman fountains. This monograph provides an authoritative introduction to all aspects of Bernini's sculpture, while the full catalogue gives detailed information on his complete oeuvre.

Prefaces

Preamble

Early Works and Borghese Patronage

Religious Imagery

Portrait Busts

Work in St. Peter's and the Vatican

The Cornaro Chapel, other Chapels, Churches,

and the Baroque Stage

Fountains and Monuments

Bernini and his Period. The Organization

of the Studio. Theory and Practice

Colour Plates

Catalogue

Chronological Table

Bibliography

Index of Names

Index of Places and Works

Acknowledgements