Ep 2. Bernini

In Simon Schama's Power of Art season 1 episode 2, titled Bernini, the focus is on the famous Baroque artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Schama delves deep into Bernini's personal life, including his apprenticeship with his sculptor father, Pietro Bernini and the relationship he had with the Catholic Church and Pope Urban VIII, who commissioned much of his work.

The episode covers some of Bernini's most famous sculptures, including his masterpiece, The Ecstasy of St. Teresa, which depicts the ecstatic vision of the sixteenth-century Carmelite nun, St. Teresa of Avila. Schama describes how Bernini used his unparalleled skill to create a sculpture that is both sensual and spiritual. He also explores the story behind the creation of Bernini's David sculpture, which was commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese as a tribute to his powerful uncle, Pope Paul V.

Schama pays close attention to the process of sculpture and how Bernini pushed the limits of what was possible with the medium. He discusses how Bernini developed a new technique that allowed him to create incredibly expressive faces and hands, which were often neglected by other sculptors of his time. Schama also shares some of the challenges that Bernini faced during his career, including the rivalry between him and fellow artist Francesco Borromini, and the difficulties he faced in creating the large-scale sculptures that were increasingly popular in Rome at the time.

Throughout the episode, Schama provides a detailed look at Bernini’s working methods, including the importance of preparatory drawings and clay models in his sculptures. He also examines the role that Bernini played in transforming the face of Baroque Rome, with his innovative use of light, space, and motion. Schama reveals how Bernini was able to influence the development of Baroque architecture, with his sculptural designs for the Piazza Navona and the Fountain of the Four Rivers.

But Schama does not shy away from the controversy that surrounded Bernini's career, particularly his relationship with the Catholic Church. The episode examines the tension that arose between Bernini and the Church following his involvement in a scandalous affair, and how it affected his subsequent commissions from the Vatican. Schama also explores the relationship between Bernini's work and the larger political and religious contexts of his time.

Overall, Simon Schama's Power of Art season 1 episode 2 provides an in-depth examination of the life and work of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the most important and influential sculptors of the Baroque period. With its insightful analysis and stunning visuals, the episode offers a fascinating insight into the creative process of this master artist, and the impact that his work had on the world of art and architecture.