Bernini
Subtitle: sculpting in clay
By: C.D. Dickerson, Anthony Sigel, and Ian Wardropper ; with contributions by Andrea Bacchi, Tomaso Montanari, and Steven F. Ostrow
Contributors: Bernini, Gian Lorenzo, 1598-1680; Sigel, Anthony; Wardropper, Ian; Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.); Kimbell Art Museum
Publisher: Metropolitan Museum of Art; distributed by Yale University Press
Published: 2012
Place of publication: New York; New Haven
Language: eng
Number of pages: 416
ISBN-13: 9781588394729; 9780300185003
Subjects: Exhibitions; Terra-cotta sculpture, Italian
Description: "The brilliantly expressive clay models created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) as "sketches" for his works in marble offer extraordinary insights into his creative imagination. Although long admired, the terracotta models have never been the subject of such detailed examination. This publication presents a wealth of new discoveries (including evidence of the artist's fingerprints imprinted on the clay), resolving lingering issues of attribution while giving readers a vivid sense of how the artist and his assistants fulfilled a steady stream of monumental commissions. Essays describe Bernini's education as a modeler; his approach to preparatory drawings; his use of assistants; and the response to his models by 17th-century collectors. Extensive research by conservators and art historians explores the different types of models created in Bernini's workshop. Richly illustrated, Bernini transforms our understanding of the sculptor and his distinctive and fascinating working methods."--Publisher's website.
Notes: Catalog of an exhibition held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Oct. 3, 2012-Jan. 6, 2013, and at the Kimbell Art Museum, Fort Worth, Feb. 3-Apr. 14, 2013.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 386-406) and index.
Table of contents: title: Introduction / C.D. Dickerson; title: Bernini at the beginning: the formation of a master modeler / C.D. Dickerson; title: Sketching on paper and in clay: Bernini's use of preparatory drawings and models / Ian Wardropper; title: The role of terracotta models in Bernini's workshop / Andrea Bacchi; title: Creating an eye for models: the role of Bernini / Tomaso Montanari; title: "The fire of art"?: a historiography of Bernini's Bozzetti / Steven F. Ostrow; title: Visual Glossary / Anthony Sigel; title: Catalogue. Working for the Barberini ; Fountains ; Chapels and Saints ; Equestrian Monuments ; Working for the Chigi ; The Ponte Sant'Angelo ; Alter of the blessed sacrament / C.D. Dickerson and Anthony Sigel.