ECSTASY OF SAINT TERESA BY BERNINI: 5 THINGS TO KNOW
The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa by Bernini, also known as “Transverberation of Saint Teresa”, is the work than more than others describes the religiousness of the 17th century, made up of mystical experiences which involve both spirit and body.
In this post I’ll talk about the work by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 5 points.
5 things to know about the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa by Bernini
1. WHEN THE ECSTASY OF SAINT TERESA BY BERNINI WAS MADE
The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa was carved by Bernini, one of the most important artists of the Baroque art, starting from 1647 (he completed the work in 1652).
Bernini was commissioned the sculpture by Venetian Cardinal Federico Cornaro, who wanted to place it in the family chapel inside the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome.
The Church belonged to the Order of the Discalced Carmelites, founded by Saint Teresa herself in 1622, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini made a sculptural group which conveys all the spiritual turmoil described by the Saint in her writings.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE ECSTASY OF SAINT TERESA BY BERNINI
The sculptural group, pure white, is illuminated by the natural light coming from a recess, invisible to viewers, reflecting off golden rays which seem to come down to the Saint and an angel, suspended in mid air.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini describes the mystical ecstasy of Saint Teresa, she described in her writings. In fact, the Saint wrote that she saw an angel piercing her heart, lighting it with God’s love.
3. ARCHITECTURE AND SCENOGRAPHY OF THE ECSTASY OF SAINT TERESA BY BERNINI
The scene depicted by Bernini is theatrical and the viewer seems to witness the show of Faith.
In addition, on the sides of the chapel you see some shelves with characters looking at the scene. They are the members of the Cornaro family who look at the miracle like they were at the theatre, and each one is a sculpture of a larger sculptural group.
4. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ECSTASY OF SAINT TERESA BY BERNINI IN ART HISTORY
The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa by Bernini is the work which more than others represents the artist’s desire to combine all arts: architecture frames the scene, sculpture describes the mystical event, and background decorates the recess.
Everything blends into one image involving viewers personally, while light effects make everything spectacular, or better theatrical.
5. THE EFFECT OF THE ECSTASY OF SAINT TERESA BY BERNINI ON HIS CONTEMPORARIES
The sculptural group carved by Bernini, as soon as it was displayed to the public, was defined as the best work he ever did.
Actually, all Bernini’s works are characterized by passion and sensuality that the artist, not even in this sculpture, doesn’t want to hide.
After all, it was for this reason that he achieved success and even at the age of 70, when he was commissioned the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, describes God’s love as a light pervading body and soul in a turmoil at the limit between ecstasy and death.
READ ALSO – Apollo and Daphne by Gian Lorenzo Bernini: 5 things to know
poco sviluppata la carica sensuale espressa dal Bernini
È chiaro che a Bernini era stato dato di vedere! Complimenti a questo grande artista per le sue doti e per tutto l’amore che ha messo nel realizzare quest’opera! Sono sicura che ha saputo riprodurre bene ciò che ha visto e l’ha fatto per servire il Signore e lasciare una grande testimonianza in aiuto a tutti i Suoi figli. Grazie Bernini.
Grazie per questo commento. Non bisogna dimenticare che, nonostante le debolezze umane, gli artisti come Bernini erano cattolici a tutti gli effetti, conoscevano bene le sacre scritture e avevano anche esperienze di fede particolarmente forti.
“Oh, Love! no habitant of earth thou art
An unseen Seraph, we believe in thee,
A faith whose martyrs are the broken heart,
But never yet hath seen, nor e’er shall see
The naked eye, thy form, as it should be;
The mind hath made thee, as it peopled Heaven,
Even with its own desiring phantasy,
And to a thought such shape and image given,
As haunts the unquenched soul—parched—wearied—wrung—and riven…”