Bernini characteristics

Gian Lorenzo Bernini was considered a childhood genius, a prodigy that took in his father's teachings with ease and quickly surpassed his technical level.

He would develop to become one of the most significant artists of the 17th century, and left a multi-medium legacy which took in sculpture, architecture, painting and drawing.

He was also highly significant as an Italian artist within the Baroque era, with this region being better known for its contributions to the earlier Renaissance.

Early Life

The artist was born on the 7th of December, 1598 in the Italian city of Naples.

Angelica Galante and Pietro Bernini, originally from Florence would have thirteen children, of which their son Gian Lorenzo was their sixth. They had moved to Naples by the time that he arrived in 1598.

Father Pietro would immediately encourage his son to pursue his creative side, hoping that perhaps h