The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa

Definition

The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa is a baroque sculpture created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, depicting the moment when Saint Teresa of Ávila experiences a divine encounter with an angel. This work captures the emotional intensity and spiritual fervor that characterize the baroque style, showcasing a dramatic interplay of light, shadow, and movement that conveys deep religious ecstasy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The sculpture was completed between 1647 and 1652 and is housed in the Cornaro Chapel in Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome.
2. Bernini’s work illustrates the influence of Counter-Reformation ideals, aiming to evoke spiritual feelings and connect viewers with divine experiences.
3. The use of marble in The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa allows for intricate details that enhance the expression on Saint Teresa’s face and the angel’s features.
4. The composition features dramatic drapery that creates movement, contributing to the overall sense of ecstasy and spiritual elevation.
5. The artwork exemplifies how baroque artists integrated architecture, painting, and sculpture to create immersive religious experiences for viewers.

Review Questions

• How does The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa exemplify key characteristics of baroque art?
  • The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa exemplifies key characteristics of baroque art through its dramatic expression, intricate detailing, and dynamic composition. Bernini employs chiaroscuro to highlight the intense emotions on Saint Teresa’s face while using flowing drapery to create a sense of movement. This aligns with the baroque style's goal of evoking strong emotional responses from viewers and conveying spiritual narratives.
• Discuss the role of light and shadow in The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa and how it contributes to the viewer's emotional response.
  • In The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, light plays a crucial role in enhancing the emotional impact of the sculpture. Bernini strategically uses chiaroscuro to illuminate certain aspects while casting others into shadow, which emphasizes the divine encounter's intensity. This manipulation of light draws viewers' attention to specific details, like the expressions on Saint Teresa's face and her pose, making them feel more connected to her ecstatic experience.
• Evaluate how The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa reflects the religious and cultural context of its time, particularly during the Counter-Reformation.
  • The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa reflects the religious and cultural context of its time by embodying Counter-Reformation ideals aimed at revitalizing Catholicism through powerful visual art. Bernini's work captures an intimate moment of divine revelation that aligns with the Church's efforts to inspire faith through emotive narratives. The sculpture's grandeur and detail also showcase how art served as a means to communicate complex spiritual experiences to an audience seeking deeper connections with their faith during a period marked by religious turmoil.

Related terms

Baroque Art: A style of art and architecture that emerged in the late 16th century, characterized by grandeur, drama, and movement, often used to convey emotional depth and religious themes.

Chiaroscuro: An artistic technique used to create a strong contrast between light and dark, enhancing the three-dimensionality of figures and adding to the emotional impact of the composition.

Sculptural Composition: The arrangement and organization of figures within a sculpture to create a cohesive narrative or emotional response, often emphasizing movement and interaction between elements.