How he became the “Michelangelo of his century”
October 30, 2024
Gian Lorenzo Bernini was history’s greatest sculptor, and undoubtedly one of its greatest architects. His influence on the Eternal City was so significant that one Pope told him “You were made for Rome, and Rome was made for you.”
Yet despite this, his name was largely forgotten — or worse, despised — in the centuries after his death. And even during his lifetime, he suffered defeats that would have ended the career of any other lesser artist.
Bernini’s genius lies not just in his artistic prowess, but in his ability to bounce back from the brink of defeat. Today we tell his story — a story of devotion, discipline, and dazzling success against all odds.
Bernini’s story begins in 1598 in Naples, where he was the sixth of 13 children. He apprenticed with his father from a young age, and moved with him to Rome for work when he was just 8 years old.
Once Bernini arrived in the Eternal City, word quickly got out about his talent. The young boy became known equally for his skill and his rigorous work ethic. A driving factor behind this was his religious piety — he believed it was his duty not just to inspire awe with his art, but to inspire devotion.
When Bernini was in his teens, he was summoned before Pope Paul V. The pontiff wanted to know if the reports of the boy were true, and requested he sketch a drawing of St. Paul on the spot.
Upon seeing the sketch, the Pope remarked: “This child will be the Michelangelo of his century!” He had no idea just how right he was…
With the Church funding his work, Bernini got busy cranking out masterpiece after masterpiece. The scale of what he accomplished is hard to put into words — in just four years, he completed three of the most famous marble statues in existence: The Abduction of Proserpina, Apollo and Daphne, and David.
From here he turned to architecture, first working inside the Vatican (where he designed the Baldacchino) and in Rome, where he worked on everything from fountains to fortresses. Then, in 1629, the unthinkable happened: the 31 year old Bernini — who had practically no formal architectural training — was formally made the “Architect of Saint Peter’s.”
But Bernini was plagued by jealous rivals, and they soon got their chance to strike. During an operation to add bell towers to Saint Peter’s Basilica, cracks appeared in the upper corner of the building’s façade. Bernini’s critics immediately piled on and made him the scapegoat, blaming his lack of formal training.
Unfortunately, their ploy worked. The project was scrapped and Bernini’s reputation fell to pieces. He was publicly disgraced, financially ruined, and went years without getting a new commission.
What was supposed to be Bernini’s greatest achievement turned out to be the cause of his downfall. His career was all but over…
Bernini bid his time, waiting for an opportunity to bounce back. Four years later, the opportunity presented itself in the form of a public competition — the prize was a commission for a public fountain in Rome.
Entering under a pseudonym, Bernini prepared a model of the fountain. When Pope Innocent X saw it, he was blown away — and even more so when he discovered the name of its designer. At that point, the Pope famously declared:
“It will be necessary to employ Bernini in spite of those who do not wish it!”
The fountain Bernini produced was a masterpiece, and remains one of the main staples in the tourist route of Rome today. The project restored Bernini’s reputation and ushered in the most glorious years of his career, including a trip to Versailles where he sculpted his famous bust of the Sun King, Louis XIV.
For all he did in Rome and abroad, however, Bernini’s influence is still best observed at the Vatican. From the design of Saint Peter’s Square and the baldacchino to the many statues he carved inside the basilica, Bernini’s work influences millions — even if they don’t know his name.
Pope Alexander VII summed up his legacy best:
“If one were to remove from Saint Peter’s everything that had been made by the Cavalier Bernini, that temple would be stripped bare.”
Bernini’s art was inspired first and foremost by his belief in God. He believed it was his mission and calling not just to make great art, but to make great art that inspired others to devotion.
This belief was a driving force behind his work ethic, discipline, and reluctance to give up even when all seemed lost. The best inspiration comes from a desire to serve something greater than yourself.
After the bell tower fiasco, Bernini lost almost everything. But he knew his worth, and decided he’d create something so beautiful that he couldn’t be ignored. His efforts paid off, and the success of his Four Rivers fountain led to the best days of his career. When others don’t notice you, make it so they can’t help but do so.
After Bernini’s death, the artistic period changed and his works were viewed with derision for being “too baroque”. But while the tastes of each era vary, true beauty is timeless. Bernini’s legacy was revived by later generations who rediscovered his work and recognized his genius. By pursuing the heights of beauty, Bernini created timeless art — and we remember him today because of it.
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Ad finem fidelis,
Evan
