Bernini and Baroque Italy

Baroque - derived from a word meaning imperfect pearl, "irregularly-shaped" or "odd"

"If it's not Baroque, don't fix it!"

• At first, the term Baroque was used derogatorily, to refer to the excess and unclarity relative to High Renaissance ideals.
• Baroque art is vast and varied, but is heavily influenced by the Counter-Reformation, post-Protestant Reformation. 
• Resurgence of the majesty of the Catholic church!
• Protestant Baroque art flourished in Holland, acted as a counter-voice for Catholic art
• Can be separated into two schools of thought: Classicists (inspired by Raphael) and Naturalists (inspired by Titian)
• Baroque architecture reflects the magnificent majesty of Royal European courts

Bernini - Architect, painter, sculptor extraordinaire! 

• Devout Catholic - part of the Church's Counter-Reformative movement 
• INCREDIBLE mastery of marble, able to convey a multitude of textures, weights and emotions seemingly effortlessly - like an artistic alchemist! 
• Captures moments of ACTION and movement 
• Theatrical, dramatic, engages the audience

If you can, watch this entire BBC documentary! It goes in depth into Bernini's life, nature and incredible lifelike sculptures. Gardner's only includes a handful of Bernini's works, not doing him justice. Check out Abduction of Proserpine and Apollo and Daphne! 

This is how Bernini's sculptures make me feel:  

That's all marble? Mind = blown