The Bernini Trail

---

Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) was the greatest sculptor of his age, some would say of any age; he was also an architect, painter, playwright and stage designer. 

and for most of his life he lived in Rome, where so much of his work can be seen.

Bernini was born in Naples on December 7th 1598. His father, Pietro Bernini (1562-1629), was a sculptor from Florence, his mother, Angelica Galante, was Neapolitan. In 1606 the family moved to Rome; his father having received a commission to create a bas-relief for the Cappella Paolina, in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.

The family lived in the shadow of the basilica, in Via Liberiana.  

A short distance away lies the church of Santa Prassede, which is home to a bust of Santoni

---