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1.13: Ecstasy of St. Theresa

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    359660

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    Sculpture titled "The Entombment of Christ" by Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini, depicting figures in a dramatic pose.

    Artist: Gian Lorenzo Bernini
    Medium: Marble
    Art Historical Time Period: Baroque (1647–1652)

    The Ecstasy of St. Theresa is a Baroque sculpture created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini between 1647 and 1652. It is located in the Cornaro Chapel of the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome. The sculpture depicts a mystical vision experienced by St. Theresa of Avila, a Spanish Carmelite nun and mystic.

    The Ecstasy of St. Theresa is important because it exemplifies the emotional intensity and dramatic style of Baroque art. Bernini's masterful use of marble creates a sense of movement and spiritual transcendence, capturing the moment of divine ecstasy. The sculpture represents the intersection of art and spirituality, inspiring viewers with its beauty and emotional power. Understanding the Ecstasy of St. Theresa helps us appreciate the cultural significance of religious art and the ways in which it can convey profound spiritual experiences.

    Vocabulary

    • Mystic A person who seeks to achieve communion with the divine through contemplation and self-surrender
    • Spiritual transcendence A state of being beyond ordinary physical existence and experiencing a higher level of spiritual reality.
    • Vision An experience of seeing something in a dream or trance, especially as part of a religious or supernatural experience.

    Student Authors

    • Valentina Jimenez ’24 and Carlos Hernandez ’26

    References and Image Attribution

    • Avery, Charles. Bernini: Genius of the Baroque. Thames & Hudson, 1997.
    • Hibbard, Howard. Bernini. Penguin Books, 1990.
    • Image: “Rom, Santa Maria della Vittoria, Die Verzückung der Heiligen Theresa (Bernini)” via Wikimedia Commons by Vassil, licensed under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Modified from original.

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