Bernini and the details which are worth a closer look. Bernini loved details. Sometimes Bernini’s masterpieces are worth a closer look. Some of his masterpieces hide small but wonderful details that require great attention and… as we said…a closer look. The bust of Cardinal Scipione Borghese (actually the busts…) are a perfect example of Bernini’s beautiful details. Come to Rome and take one of our wonderful Tours. We would be glad to walk you through the Colosseum and the Vatican museums and share with you all the other small curiosities you can find in the Eternal City. Come and see Bernini and the beauty of details which are worth a closer look.
WHO IS SCIPIONE BORGHESE?
When Paul V became Pope in 1605, he immediately appointed his nephew Scipione as cardinal. Despite his young age, the Pope granted him a very high and powerful position. This immense power enabled the “cardinal nephew” to create, within a decade and in a sometimes unorthodox manner, splendid residences and a marvellous art collection.
THE BUST OF CARDINAL SCIPIONE BORGHESE
The bust of Scipione was made by Gian Lorenzo Bernini for his first great patron in 1632 in a new style, more representative of the vibrant Baroque language. The spontaneous pose has a considerable expressive power. The setting of the torso with the head turned in a slight movement and the attentive gaze, create an almost colloquial relationship with the viewer.
THE DETAIL WHICH IS WORTH A CLOSER LOOK
The folds in the fabric are worth noticing. But there is one small detail which is worth a closer look. There is the famous detail of the small, unfastened button. Bernini loved details and sculpted one of the buttons different from the others and is unfastened. Some say Bernini wanted to represent Scipione’s dissolute life. Others just note that this marvellous detail wants to convey the existence of a living body beneath the robe.
Detail of the bust of Cardinal Scipione Borghese by Bernini
THE STORY OF THE BUST (OR BUSTS)
When the bust was almost completed, a crack in the marble, appeared at the level of the forehead. The problem forced the sculptor to produce a second version of the bust in a very short time. This shows how Bernini was unconcerned about the careful choice of marble, which was a fundamental issue for sculptors such as Michelangelo. Despite the crack, the cardinal wanted both works delivered to him, both of which are preserved in the Galleria Borghese.
Come to Rome and take one of our wonderful Tours. We would be glad to walk you through the Colosseum and the Vatican museums and share with you all the other small curiosities you can find in the Eternal City. Come and see Bernini’s masterpiece and the beauty of details which are worth a closer look.
