Friday, March 29, 2013

Something Higher

Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the Italian artist and architect credited with developing the Baroque style of sculpture was the real deal.  His dynamic, highly expressive figures revolutionized seventeenth century sculpture and continue to grace the streets and churches of Italy centuries later.


A friend and I made a day trip this week to view a collection of terracotta sculptures by Bernini and his apprentices.  These small works are like "sketches" in clay, used to work out the design of some of the most spectacular sculptures in Rome.  They were exquisite.


What an incredible opportunity to study these pieces up close.  I was particularly interested to learn how historians identify which pieces were actually sculpted by the master and which ones were made by his assistants.  Bernini's works bear identifiable fingerprints and stylized elements specific to his way of handling the clay...marks that tell the story of how the artist's ideas began to come to life so many centuries ago.


What an honor it is for us to follow the creative path.  The skill and dedication of the masters can inspire even the most novice among us to develop our own gifts...to reach for something higher, something greater.  It's what we were born to do.

Linking up today with:

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18 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing the story of your arting adventure and your beautiful sketches that illustrate it. xox

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  2. Envious of your watercolor and sketching gifts! Enjoyed your post and learning about Bernini! Happy PPF!

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  3. Hello Janice, you've had a good time and these sketches of yours are so beautiful, there is movement and emotion, they are lovely in those clay like colors, thanks for sharing with us! xx

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  4. Fingerprints in the clay. Who would have known.

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  5. Smashing post and great drawings.
    Happy PPF and Happy Easter, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  6. On your journey wonderful pictures were taken. I especially like the reduction of colors and outlines.
    HPPF
    Hugs
    Erika

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  7. what beautiful sketches...and a terrific post! happy PPF!

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  8. So envious of your day trip!! Your sketches are wonderful. it's amazing to me that they can tell what pieces were done by Bernini and what was done by an assistant.

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  9. These are just lovely. What an amazing experience for you to see these up close and do such beautiful sketching.

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  10. Wonderful post and tribute to dynamic artists ~ lovely work ~ ^_^

    Thanks for visit and comments .

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  11. Love those sketches! Never heard of Bernini, have to look him up now ....

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  12. Beautiful sketches, very expressive - love the feel of these! <3

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  13. The sketches are stunning. If you did those, then take a bow; you are so talented.
    Thanks for telling me about your very inventive grandmother:)
    xx
    Zue

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  14. There was recently an exhibit of Leonardo D Vinci's sketches which did a tour of the UK, visiting my local art gallery too. It was amazing to see such detailed and exquisite sketches in real life - then man was a total genius.

    Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity

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  15. Great post - your sketches are terrific. HPPF

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  16. Very interesting visit....lovely sketches!

    Hugs Giggles

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  17. Wonderful sketches! What a great way to remember the visit and the sculptures.

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Your lovely comments make my day!

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