Gian Lorenzo BerniniItalian, 1598–1680Saint Jerome
About the sculpture
This statuette is made after Gian Lorenzo Bernini, ca. 1670-1700 in Rome.
It is a reduced copy of Bernini's marble statue of St Jerome in the Cathedral at Siena, executed by Bernini in 1661-3.
Saint Jerome is shown in full length, with his left foot resting on a lion; his head and the upper part of his body are bent over a crucifix held to his left in both hands
Victoria and Albert Museum
Particulars
- Accession number
- 5863-1859
Meanwhile, in the life of Gian Lorenzo Bernini
The whole life1667–1669
The plan for a new apse at Santa Maria Maggiore fails
His elaborate plan for a new apse of the basilica in which he would later be buried came to an unpleasant end amid public uproar over its cost and the destruction of ancient mosaics it entailed.
c. 1675
His sons prepare the first biographies
In the mid-1670s his elder son Pietro Filippo wrote the short “Vita Brevis” and commissioned Baldinucci to write a biography of their father, meant for publication in the artist's lifetime; Domenico began his own “Vita” during his father's life (about 1675–1680).
c. 1678 – 1680
Restoration of the Palazzo della Cancelleria
In his last two years Bernini supervised the restoration of the historic Palazzo della Cancelleria on a direct commission from Innocent XI, who chose him over many younger architects because the building was in danger of collapse.
November 1680
The stroke and his last weeks
Until just two weeks before his death Bernini remained physically and mentally vigorous and kept working; death came from a stroke, in his Roman home.
28 November 1680
Died
