Bernini and the birth of Baroque portrait sculpture

Gianlorenzo Bernini was the greatest sculptor of the Baroque period, and yet - surprisingly - there have been only a handful of shows related to his work in modern times.Bernini's portrait busts were masterpieces of technical virtuosity; at the same time, they revealed a new interest in psychological depth.

His ability to capture the essential character of his subjects was unmatched and had a profound influence on other leading sculptors of his day, including Alessandro Algardi, Giuliano Finelli, and Francesco Mochi.Published to coincide with a major new exhibition at the J.

Paul Getty Museum in 2008, "Bernini and the Birth of Baroque Portrait Sculpture" is a groundbreaking study that features drawings and paintings by Bernini and his contemporaries that demonstrates their unrivalled range, skill, and acuity.