Visible Spirit: The Art of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Volume III

Bernini at St. Peter’s may be a unique case in history: a single artist in change of a grandiose monument in a continuous state ofcreativity under constantly changing patrons and a variety of projects, for nearly six decades. This book argues that a continuousthread of thought may be discerned underlying and connecting the vicissitudes of this spectacular display. From first to last, Bernini conceived of St. Peter’s as a pilgrimage church, a kind of pilgrimage of human life, his own and of the believers who visited the basilica to worship and give testimony.The book is in large format and richly illustrated with 272 colour illustrations. It represents a fitting tribute to the artist and his monument, St. Peter's BasilicaTable of ContentsPreambleSt. Peter's as summa ecclesiarumThe apse and crossingThe high altarBaldachins and ciboriaThe baldacchino (1624-35)Paired tombsThe tomb of Urban VIII (1627-47)The crossing piers (1627-41)The nave: continuity"Feed my sheep" (pasce oves meas) (1633-46)The tomb of Matilda of Tuscany (1633-44)The nave decoration (1645-9)Ingress – egressThe piazza and colonnades (1656-67)CommemorationThe cathedra petri (1657-66)The equestrian monument of Constantine and the Scala Regia (1662-70)The tomb of Alexander VII (1671-8)Passage to the Holy CityThe Ponte Sant’Angelo and Castel Sant’Angelo (1667-71)ConsummationThe Sacrament Altar (1673-5)The church, the city, and the artistRoma alessandrina: urban unity, public welfare, and universal Christian charityThe blood of Christ (1669-70)BibliographyIndex.