Masterpieces of Bernini and Roman Baroque Architecture

St. Peter's Square: Bernini's Urban Masterpiece

1. St. Peter's Square (1660): This work represents urban architecture infused with religious symbolism. Constructed from stone and marble, its name is the Colonnade of St. Peter's Square (San Pedro del Vaticano). With dimensions of 15 meters, it possesses an elliptical shape featuring a great colonnade. The columns emerge from the basilica's facade like two big arms that welcome visitors. Point 1 on the central axis designs one of the most impressive places; the colonnade is topped by a Doric-Roman entablature crowned by 140 statues of saints. The vision of the basilica's facade from the central axis is truncated by the great obelisk located in the very heart of the oval ellipse. This arrangement signifies the world gathered around the Pope.

• Style: Baroque
• Timeline: 1656-1667
• Architect: Bernini
• Location: Rome (Vatican City)

The St. Peter's Baldachin: A Baroque Memorial

2. St. Peter's Baldachin (Baldaquino): This is a memorial church bronze cover placed on the altar over the tomb of the Apostle. It stands over four pedestals with twisted columns and Corinthian capitals, upon which sits a frame townhouse with dark and golden volutes. There is a striking color contrast between the bronze and the white pillars of the dome. The shaft holding the ring is divided into three parts: the lower section is less decorated with grooves, while the others are adorned with stems and leaves.

• Style: 17th-century Baroque
• Architect: Bernini
• Location: Rome

Church of Sant'Andrea al Quirinale

3. Church of Sant'Andrea al Quirinale: This piece of religious architecture is made of marble and stone. The floor plan features movement created by the concave wall that tends to "arm" the viewer and capture their gaze. The portico creates momentum toward the convex oval chapels ahead. The facade consists of a high portico with pilasters and a plain triangular pediment. The lines of an archivolt fall under the two columns that support an advanced canopy with a simple organization.

• Style: 17th-century Baroque
• Architect: Bernini
• Location: Rome

San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane: Architectural Freedom

4. San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (San Carlo from 4 Sources): This religious architecture utilizes brick, stucco, and ashlar stone. The church features a small undulating facade where parts are juxtaposed in concave and convex forms. It is organized into three blocks and two upper bodies. The open convex part of the building features a window where an angel holds a large medallion. It includes an ascending balustrade, curved to provide continuous movement to the walls, which is remarkable for such a short space. The floor plan is an elongated elliptical Greek cross, demonstrating spatial complexity. It also features a small cloister. The interior patio area is an oval surrounded by columns; the lower floor lacks an abacus, holding wooden lintels and arches, while the superior floor features an abacus and an entablature. It is topped with an elliptical dome, showing the extreme freedom of its author.

• Style: Baroque
• Location: Rome

Bernini's David: Tension and Movement in Marble

6. David: This religious marble sculpture depicts the hero David. While Donatello's version shows the hero in an attitude of triumph after beating the giant, and Michelangelo's shows him prior to the act, Bernini captures David in the act of throwing the stone. There is great movement and contained energy; his tight-lipped concentration transmits effort. The sculpture shows tension in the smallest details, with feet pressed against the edge of the support for greater stability and grip. All force is focused outward toward Goliath.

• Style: Baroque (1623)
• Artist: Bernini
• Location: Galleria Borghese