Bernini's Ecstasy of Saint Teresa

Definition

Bernini's Ecstasy of Saint Teresa is a baroque sculptural masterpiece created between 1647 and 1652, depicting a mystical experience of the Spanish nun and saint, Teresa of Ávila. This work exemplifies the baroque style with its dynamic movement, emotional intensity, and the use of light to enhance the viewer's engagement, similar to the emotional expression found in Hellenistic sculpture.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The sculpture is housed in the Cornaro Chapel in Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome, where it serves as a centerpiece surrounded by architectural elements that enhance its drama.
2. Bernini captured the moment when Saint Teresa experiences divine love through a vision of an angel, portrayed with an arrow poised to pierce her heart, symbolizing spiritual ecstasy.
3. The interplay of light on the marble surface creates a sense of movement and highlights the emotional expressions on Teresa's face and the angel's, drawing viewers into the scene.
4. The piece showcases Bernini's mastery of materials, as he skillfully manipulates marble to convey soft textures like fabric and skin, creating a lifelike representation.
5. Ecstasy of Saint Teresa not only reflects religious fervor but also represents the baroque fascination with merging art, architecture, and spirituality into a unified experience.

Review Questions

• How does Bernini's Ecstasy of Saint Teresa exemplify characteristics of baroque art through its emotional expression?
  • Bernini's Ecstasy of Saint Teresa embodies baroque art through its intense emotional expression and dramatic use of light. The sculpture captures a profound spiritual moment with Teresa's facial expressions reflecting both agony and bliss, inviting viewers to connect with her experience. Additionally, the intricate details and dynamic composition create an immersive environment, enhancing the emotional weight typical of baroque works.
• In what ways does Bernini utilize sculptural composition to enhance the narrative within Ecstasy of Saint Teresa?
  • Bernini employs sculptural composition strategically to amplify the narrative within Ecstasy of Saint Teresa. The positioning of figures—the angel hovering over Teresa with the arrow—and their interaction creates a triangular composition that draws the viewer’s eye toward the focal point. This arrangement not only tells the story but also contributes to a sense of movement and drama that captivates audiences, emphasizing the climactic moment of divine encounter.
• Evaluate how Bernini's Ecstasy of Saint Teresa compares to Hellenistic sculptures in terms of emotion and movement.
  • When evaluating Bernini's Ecstasy of Saint Teresa alongside Hellenistic sculptures, one can see striking similarities in their emphasis on emotion and movement. Both styles aim to evoke strong feelings from viewers; Hellenistic works often display exaggerated expressions and physical tension to convey pathos. Similarly, Bernini captures the ecstatic experience of Teresa with flowing drapery and an animated pose that suggest both inner turmoil and spiritual elevation. This continuity underscores how different eras express human emotion through sculptural form while pushing boundaries in artistic representation.

Related terms

Baroque Art: A style of art that emerged in the late 16th century characterized by dramatic use of light and shadow, intense emotion, and grandeur in scale and composition.

Tenebrism: A painting technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a dramatic effect, often associated with baroque artists like Caravaggio.

Sculptural Composition: The arrangement and interaction of forms within a sculpture that contributes to the overall visual narrative and emotional impact of the piece.