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Rome-based journalist
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Saint Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582), the Church’s first female Doctor, has graced Rome once more. The Baroque masterpiece, ‘Saint Teresa in Ecstasy,’ sculpted by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, has been flawlessly restored to its former glory. Visitors to the Eternal City during the Christmas season can once again admire it in the Cornaro Chapel within the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria; a site that boasts not just architectural and artistic excellence, but profound religious symbolism as well.
Bernini, a masterful architect and painter, conceived and crafted this work between 1647 and 1653, during a zenith of his remarkable creative prowess. The sculptor himself, exhibiting remarkable humility, labeled it his “least imperfect piece,” suggesting it represented the peak of his artistic output.
Filippo Baldinucci, an art historian and contemporary of Bernini, penned in the artist’s biography: “Bernini himself often stated it was the finest achievement of his career
Rome’s special overseer declares the restoration of Gian Lorenzo Bernini‘s monument as highly significant. This extensive undertaking, spanning many years, has revitalized not only the sculpture itself, but the Cornaro Chapel in its entirety. The project presented a unique chance for in-depth analysis, revealing previously hidden details of the creation process.
Mariella Nuzzo, a key figure in the restoration, notes the remarkable revival of stucco relief scenes portraying Saint Teresa’s life. These scenes, previously obscured and practically invisible, have been meticulously restored, showcasing their original delicate gold leaf. The angelic arch, featuring the Latin inscription ‘Nisi te creassem celum, tibi soli creassem‘ (‘If I had not created heaven, I would create it for you alone’), now shines with renewed clarity.
A Masterpiece of Artistic Fusion
Cardinal Federico Cornaro commissioned the chapel’s construction, recognizing Bernini’s exceptional skills in architecture and sculpture. This Neapolitan-born (1598), Roman-adopted master (d. 1680) crafted an unparalleled Baroque triumph. The chapel stands as a perfect amalgamation of Baroque artistry: architecture, sculpture, painting, ornamentation, stagecraft, and lighting exquisitely combine to create the characteristic theatrical effect of the Baroque style. Cornaro family members, seated in purpose-built boxes, witnessed this spectacle as if attending a theatrical production, expressing wonder and fervent religious zeal.
This global masterpiece continues to inspire awe and wonder. The renowned phrase spoken by philosopher and linguist Charles de Brosses—the originator of the term “fetishism”—during his 1739-1740 Italian journey perfectly captures this feeling: “If this is divine love, I understand it completely.”
Visitors to the Cornaro Chapel today, witnessing Bernini’s work on Saint Teresa, describe the restoration as an experience of “ecstasy”.
