BERNINI. GIOVANNI LORENZO, born 1598, died 16S0. II is father, Pietro Bernini, a Florentine, was a painter and sculptor of more than common talents. Giovanni's first work in architecture was the great central altar of St. Peter's, remarkable fin- its twisted columns ; its novelty, singularity, and the difficulty of its execution surprised, and had many imitators. By desire of the pope, lie adorned with niches the four great piers which support the cupola of St. Peter's. lie was employed in the construction of the palace Barberini, particularly in that of the stairs, the great hall, and the principal front. The front has on the lower floor a Doric, very well understood ; hut the application of so many cor nices, and the great arched windows, do not add to the beauty of the structure. The front of the Propaganda Fide is also the work of Bernini : that building threatened ruin, to prevent which he erected a battering basement, which increased at the same time both the beauty and strength of the structure. Urban VIII. wishing to complete the front of St. Peter's, which, according to the design of Maderno, required, at its extremities, two steeples, gave the cotninission to Bernini. lie designed and executed the fine fountain of the Piazza Navona. For Prince Ludovisi, lie tiepins a great palace, which in its principal front presented five !hoes; this edifice was afterwards converted into a great law-court, called Curia Innucenziana, one of the finest palaces in Rome. Alexander VII. gave him many works to execute, among which is the piazza before St. Peter's. By order of this pope, lie planned many buildings, among which is remarkable, the palace of Sand Apostoli. The very elegant
church. of an elliptic figure, of the Novitiate of the Jesuits, is likewise his. Louis XIV. and Colbert his minister. both admirers ot' the fine arts, ordered Bernini to make drawings for the palace of the Louvre, for which buildimg the first architects were stimulated ; these drawings pleased so much, that the monarch sent him his portrait set in gems, and wrote very engaging letters to the pope, and to Bernini him self, that lie might go to France to execute them. In conse quence of which, though an old man, he left Rome, and went to Paris, where he was received as if the only man worthy to work for Louis XIV. When Bernini had seen the front of the Louvre, by Perault, he said publicly, that his coming to France was useless, where there were architects of the first class. This trait does more honour to Bernini, than all his abilities as an architect. In fact, with regard to architecture, which lie was sent principally for to France, he did nothing. Ile made the king's bust, and during the eight months he staid in France, he was paid at the rate of five pounds a day ; and received at last a gift of 50,000 crowns, and an annual pension of 2000, and a pension for his son, whom he took with him, of 500. When he returned to France, in gratitude to his majesty, he made an equestrian statue, which was placed in Versailles. Under Pope Clement IX. he embellished the bridge of St. Angelo with an elegant iron balustrade.