Theresa is considered by many as the apogee of berninis oeuvre and is notable for the following qualities. This act sent her into what she described as a spiritual rapture. This slim volume opens with a brief biography portraying teresa as deeply in touch with the. Teresa, a carmelite nun, who was born in avila, spain on march 28, 1515. Saint teresa of avila abebooks shop for books, art. The ecstasy of saint teresa depicts a scene that teresa wrote about in her own autobiography. Swoon bernini brings all the passion and rapture of teresas story to represent, perhaps for the first time, the nowimmortalized image of a. However, professor robert harbison, in his book reflections on baroque 2000. Gian lorenzo bernini, ecstasy of saint teresa, 164752 cornaro chapel, santa maria della vittoria, rome.
Teresa herself, shown lying on a cloud, and an angel standing above her, holding a golden spear pointed at teresas heart. It was the 16th century, a time of turmoil and reform. Teresa described the souls intense desire for god in the language of erotic passion. Theresa is often described as a gesamtkunstwerk a german word meaning total work of art for the artists incorporation of a variety of elements. Some book covers of seminar xx have a picture of the statue on the front. In addition, teresa was author of numerous books, including her life. Saint teresas love of god and her desire for spiritual union with him found expression. Explore releases from the ecstasy of saint theresa at discogs.
She wrote about her visions in several books, including this description of the. Teresa of avila staff and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. It was designed and completed by gian lorenzo bernini, the leading sculptor of his day, who also designed the setting of the chapel in marble, stucco and paint. Theresa of avila was a spanish nun, mystic and writer during the counterreformation. Saint teresa wrote several books in which she described her visions. The words of saint teresa of avila speak to the heart so directly that even four hundred. This sculptural group portrays teresas experience of religious ecstasy.
The ecstasy of saint teresa is the central sculptural group in white marble set in an elevated. Choose from 393 different sets of the ecstasy of st. The sculpture of saint teresa actually consists of two figures, sculpted in white marble. Few people have ever written of the spiritual path with such immediacy, downtoearth wisdom, and humor. The ecstasy of saint teresa is the central sculptural group in white marble set in an elevated aedicule in the cornaro chapel, santa maria della vittoria, rome.
In it, she described an angel who pierced her heart multiple times with firetipped spear. The words of saint teresa of avila speak to the heart so directly that even four hundred years after her death she seems like our contemporary. It is generally considered to be one of the sculptural masterpieces of the high roman baroque. Gian lorenzo bernini, ecstasy of saint teresa, 164752 cornaro chapel, santa. The life of saint teresa of avila is termed an autohagiography, a selfjustification of saintliness, by carlos eire, a professor of history and religious studies at yale university. Saint teresa of avilas story teresa lived in an age of exploration as well as political, social, and religious upheaval. Bernini, ecstasy of saint teresa our mission is to provide a free, worldclass education to anyone, anywhere. Art and architecture in italy 16001750, pelican history of art. Saint teresa was a nun who was canonized made a saint by the church in part because of the spiritual visions she experienced. In addition, teresa was author of numerous books, including her life, a personal autobiography, the way of perfection, a handbook for her nuns, and interior mansions, in which she describes the many different steps taken on the path to mystical union with god. Bernini, ecstasy of saint teresa video khan academy. She lived during the middle of the sixteenth century in spainat the height of the reformation.
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