Catholic Italy / Bernini       Bernini Born in 1598 in Naples, the young Gian Lorenzo Bernini is first encouraged by his father who discovers his precocious gifts and gives him support, confidence and stimulation. The discovery of Rome, where he settles with his family in 1605, adds to his enthusiasm. Cardinal Barberini - who becomes Pope Urbano VIII in 1623 - discovers him when only eight years old. He sends for him saying : You are very lucky, Cavaliere, to see the Cardinal Maffeo Barberini as Pope, but we are even more fortunate to have under our pontificate Cavaliere Bernini. From this date and under this pontificate, which lasts more than twenty years, Bernini is named “ The Grand Organiser of the Arts ”. If the Pope seeks in him a new Michelangelo, Bernini does not precisely fulfil these expectations in his painting, but broadly honours this role in architecture and sculpture. He completes the canopy and the colonnade of the “ Church of St. Peter ” where he dares a new composition showing his taste for scenic effects and stamps a power and movement on the ensemble while conjugating vastness and lightness. Very quickly his activity becomes intense thanks to the support of the great families and the favour of the popes during his life, excepting a brief period of disgrace under Pope Innocent X. He especially excels in sculpture, and decorates the Roman churches with splendid and monumental works. These reflect a technical virtuosity, a sharp sense of textures, and a vehemence of movement, which can be seen with St.Theresa in Ecstasy or The Blissful Ludovica Albertoni. The poses and expressions of his subjects, his handling of light, and the scenic effects of his groups of characters are the signature of his systematically spectacular and unique compositions. His architectural output remains more faithful to the inheritance of the Renaissance, be it at the “ Barberini Palace ” or the “ Church of St. Andrea-de-Quirinale ”, although they are decorated with imposing extravagance and the effects of illusion that characterise Bernini in all his work. They are however less fanciful than those of his rival, Borromini. Also a town planner, he favours the theatrical side and adorns the squares of Rome with sculpted fountains, both picturesque and animated, such as the one of the “ Four Streams ” of the Piazza Navonna. Bernini is considered the creator of baroque sculpture and during his long career, which continues until 1680, his fame and renown are comparable to those of Michelangelo in Italy or Rubens in Holland.