Bernini’s Ecstasy of Saint Teresa: A Baroque Blockbuster

A nun, an angel, a golden spear, and an audience leaning out of their theater boxes to watch. My friends, it's time to talk about a multimedia extravaganza. In this episode of Art History Fun with Dr. Bryan, we look at Gian Lorenzo Bernini's The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa (1647–52), in the Cornaro Chapel of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome. Saint Teresa of Ávila, the Spanish mystic and reformer, described an angel piercing her heart with a golden spear tipped with fire, a pain so sharp and so sweet she never wanted it to end. Bernini turned that vision into a full Baroque production: marble that looks like heavy wool, wispy silk, and even a cloud; gilded bronze rays lit by a hidden window; and members of the Cornaro family carved into theater boxes along the side walls, watching the miracle unfold. We'll see how the Catholic Reformation's call for art that moves the faithful gave Bernini the perfect stage, and why this small church near Termini station is one of the best seats in Rome. CHAPTERS 0:00 A marble soap opera 0:42 One of the great Baroque masterpieces 1:19 Rome needs a PR campaign 1:36 The Cornaro Chapel commission 2:16 Who was Teresa of Ávila? 2:44 A vision of pain and sweetness 3:16 The Council of Trent's rules for art 4:05 Bernini turns it up to 11 4:32 Box seats for a miracle 4:56 A hidden window and golden rays 5:53 My first trip to Rome 6:21 Wool, silk, and a marble cloud 7:25 Beyond the Borghese Have you seen it in person? Tell me in the comments. WATCH NEXT About 25 years earlier, a 25-year-old Bernini caught David in the middle of the throw →    • Bernini’s David: The Only David Caught Mid...   BAROQUE DRAMA Caravaggio, Rubens, Artemisia, Bernini, and Velázquez, in order →    • Baroque Drama: Caravaggio, Artemisia, Bern...   New art history videos every weekday. Subscribe so you don't miss the next masterpiece, and let's enjoy some art together. FIND US ON FACEBOOK Art History Fun with Dr. Bryan → https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... I'm Dr. Bryan Zygmont, professor of art history at Mount St. Mary's University. Thanks for sticking around! #Bernini #Baroque #ArtHistory