Statue of Pope Clement X explained

Statue of Pope Clement X
Image Upright:1
Artist:Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Catalogue:78a
Type:Sculpture
Material:Marble
Subject:Pope Clement X
Height Metric:105
Metric Unit:cm
Imperial Unit:in
City:Rome
Coordinates:41.8963°N 12.479°W
Preceded By:Tomb of Pope Alexander VII
Followed By:Bust of the Saviour

The Statue of Pope Clement X is one of the final sculptural works executed by the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It depicts Pope Clement X in the act of benediction, and is housed in the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica in the Palazzo Barberini, Rome.

Origins

There is considerable confusion over the origins of the statue. According to Rudolf Wittkower, there were three versions in production during 1676. One was intended for the pope's nephew Cardinal Paluzzo Altieri, another to be placed the refectory of the church of Santa Trinità dei Convalescenti, and a third for the library of the Palazzo Altieri.[1] Wittkower believed that the last of these is the existing version in the Palazzo Barberini, although E. A. Barletta indicated that it may instead be the version for Santa Trinità dei Convalescenti.

There is also a bronze bust, based on Bernini's designs, of Clement X. This is currently in the Minneapolis Museum of Art, but appears to have been executed earlier than the work in the Palazzo Barberini, in around 1671.[2]

Exhibitions

The statue has appeared in exhibitions at the Getty Museum in California[3] and the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.[4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Wittkower, Rudolf . Gian Lorenzo Bernini: The Sculptor of the Roman Baroque . Phaidon Press . London . 298–9 . 1955 .
  2. Web site: Attributed to Gianlorenzo Bernini / Portrait Bust of Pope Clement X / About 1670.
  3. Web site: Bernini and Baroque Portraiture (Getty Center Exhibitions).
  4. Web site: The Italians : Three Centuries of Italian Art | Bust of Pope Clement X |.