Comments on: Cardinal Scipione Borghese

By: susiek

susiek — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:48:02 +0000

I didn’t mean to sound snippy! Sorry about that…
I am writing a paper about this bust and you are not the only one who has mistakenly attributed it to Bernini. In fact, the definitive image resource for Art Historians (ArtStor) still has it listed as a work of Algardi’s, though the Met changed it in 1982!
I love Bernini too. I am finding, though, that works by artist’s other than the “rockstars” don’t get the critical attention they deserve.
Anyway, you’ve made me sufficiently eager to get back to Italy! I hope to go again soon..
Best,
susiek

By: danithew

danithew — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:26:32 +0000

susiek, thanks for your comments. I must have read another source that also mis-attributed this work, as I wouldn’t even attempt to make this stuff up. I’m not an expert on the subject - just an admirer of Bernini’s works.

By: susiek

susiek — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:34:13 +0000

Regarding Scipione: His behavior is almost noble compared to those who had gone before him! For a good, steamy read, check out the Popes behaviors at least 100 years leading up to the Reformation Movement…There were countless, unbelievable, reasons that lead Martin Luther to nail those treatises on the door!

By: susiek

susiek — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 21:35:16 +0000

The bust you have attributed to Bernini on this page is actually at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and was executed by Bernini’s first assistant, Guiliano Finelli. The piece is attributed to Finelli after long been having been attributed to Alessandro Algardi. Jennifer Montegu found the documentation (a receipt) that lead to the re-attribution, but this piece had never been considered a work by Bernini. You may be confused because Bernini did 2 bust’s of this sitter in the same year as Finelli (1632, long after Finelli had broken with Bernini). You may find it interesting that Finelli was the one who executed the branches, leaves and roots on the “Apollo and Daphne”. Bernini tried to take credit for that part of the work which was one of the reasons Finelli finally left Bernini’s employ. Please be a little more careful when posting images and their attribution. For more info on this, Wittkower and Montegu are the definitive scholars on the subject. Best, SK