[Travels in Rome] (30) A New Patron Pope Alexander VII! The architectural pope who supported Bernini's second golden age!
Urbanus VIII, who had been Bernini's strongest patron in previous articles, died in 1844, and the accession of the stalwart Inocentius X caused Bernini's downfall, but from thereThe Ecstasy of Saint Teresa."andFountains of the Four RiversWe have seen a stunning revival with masterpieces such as
Then Innocent X died, and his successor, Alexander VII, was also a man of great stature. With the arrival of this man, Bernini entered his second golden age.
Upon the death of Innocentius X.election of the PopeAs expected, the vote was difficult. The two cardinals were in a tight battle, with Barberini leading a 34-member majority, Medici in opposition, and the Innocentian cardinals as a floating vote group. Nevertheless, on January 22, Cardinal Caraffa received 42 votes and was only three votes away. However, Cardinal Caraffa died suddenly on February 15. Several attempts were also made to propose Cardinal Sacchetti, the Barberini faction's candidate, but each time it failed due to opposition from the Medici and pro-Spanish factions.
Thus, after a month and a half of papal elections, Fabio Pisi, from the Pisi family of Siena, was elected Pope and became Alexander VII. He was the CologneambassadorHe is said to have been a man of reputation at the time of the Pope's inauguration in 1855, which led to his being called by Inocentius X to serve as his secretary, and his rise to the rank of cardinal. It is said that the Pope encouraged the other cardinals to make him his successor. However, Alexander VII, who, along with Urbanus VIII, would become Bernini's greatest patron, also came to the papal throne by compromise and, in a sense, by chance.
Domenico wrote: "The sun had not yet set when the knight was called to the papacy on that happy day when a new pope was born." Alexander VII was an old friend of Bernini's, since he had been in close contact with the writers and artists around Urbanus VIII before his appointment to Cologne. When he returned from Cologne, he met with Bellini at the Pontifical Palace and immediately asked him to maintain his own chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo. This work was undertaken as soon as he ascended to the papal throne, and it was here that he created two masterpieces, both sculptures that were his true vocation.
During his 12-year reign, however, the pope would order many architectural works to be done by Bernini. Alexander VII, who had written poetry as a young man, had a deep understanding of learning and the arts, but he was even more enthusiastic about remodeling the city of Rome, so much so that he was nicknamed the "Pope of the Great Construction.
This is evidenced by the fact that there are still some notes in his own handwriting concerning the restoration and relocation of obelisks, fountains, and sculptures in Rome. Of course, the decline of Rome during the reign of Alexander VII due to the worsening economic situation and the epidemic of the plague could not be covered up. However, in terms of construction and artistic activities, it seemed as if a golden age had once again arrived. The Pope entrusted his ambitious desire to remodel the city of Rome to his trusted advisor, Bernini, who was already in his mid-fifties and carried out the project with astonishing energy.
Masumi Ishinabe, Yoshikawa KobunkanBernini, Giant Star of Baroque Art.p127-128
*some line breaks.
This reign of Alexander VII was Bernini's second golden age. It appears above in the articles to come.pheasant chapelandSt. Peter's SquareSt. Peter's CathedralCatedra Petri."andScala Regia., ,San Tandrea al QuirinaleI would like to introduce Bernini's masterpieces such as
The reign of Alexander VII was indeed the last glittering period of Baroque art, including Bernini's. But by this time, Rome's national power was declining further, and with the death of Alexander VII, funding for the arts was drastically reduced. However, by this time, Rome's national power had further declined, and with the death of Alexander VII, funding for the arts was drastically cut back. This is the last time we can see the prosperity of the Roman Baroque.
be unbroken
*Please visit this category page for recommended books to learn about Rome and Italy.
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, the Vatican, and Roman Catholicism."
The Italian Renaissance and the Revolution in Knowledge."
*The following photos are my Bernini notes. I hope you will find them useful.
*The list of articles in the "Rome Travel Journal" can be found atCategory page hereindicates direction or goal (e.g. "to")
*Please visit this category page for recommended books to learn about Rome and Italy.
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, the Vatican, and Roman Catholicism."
The Italian Renaissance and the Revolution in Knowledge."
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