Bernini sculpture unveiled at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum

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Bernini sculpture unveiled at Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has received a remarkable addition to its collection – a terracotta model of the mythical sea god Triton, sculpted by the renowned Italian Baroque artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The sculpture, dating back to 1653, was commissioned by Pope Innocent X as part of a fountain project for Rome’s Piazza Navona. For many years, the sculpture remained hidden in the private collection of an Italian family, descendants of Cardinal Flavio Chigi.

The piece was covered in a layer of dark paint, obscuring its true value and artistry. However, after a restoration in 2018, the distinctive style and craftsmanship of Bernini became evident, revealing the sculpture as a masterpiece. Frits Scholten, the Rijksmuseum’s senior curator of sculpture, emphasizes the significance of this acquisition, stating, “It’s a sculpture that was in an Italian family for a long time, but covered with paint, presumably because it had been broken.

Rijksmuseum unveils Bernini’s Triton masterpiece

After restoration in 2018, the handwriting, the style of Bernini came to the fore again, and it was absolutely clear that it was a masterpiece.”

The terracotta model, measuring 72cm in height, serves as a testament to Bernini’s creative process and his initial ideas for the marble statue that would eventually adorn the Piazza Navona fountain. The sculpture captures the wild and expressive nature of Triton, with wind-swept hair and a dynamic pose that showcases Bernini’s mastery of movement and drama in his work.

Rijksmuseum director Taco Dibbits expresses his enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating, “It is marvellous that, thanks to a private individual, we can now place a sculpture by Bernini on permanent display in the Netherlands for the first time. Bernini had a huge influence on the development of sculpture as an art form.”

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Dibbits also highlights the impact Bernini had on Dutch sculptors of the 17th century, many of whom traveled to Rome to study his work and were greatly influenced by his style. Among them was Artus Quellinus, who later created marble sculptures for Amsterdam’s City Hall, now known as the Royal Palace on Dam Square.

The arrival of Bernini’s Triton at the Rijksmuseum marks a historic moment for art lovers in the Netherlands and beyond, offering a rare opportunity to appreciate the genius of one of the most influential sculptors in history. The sculpture will be on permanent display, allowing visitors to witness firsthand the extraordinary craftsmanship and artistic vision of Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

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