Bust of Costanza Buonarelli 1635

Gian Lorenzo Bernini's "Bust of Costanza Buonarelli," sculpted in 1635, is a masterful example of Baroque portraiture. The marble bust captures the likeness of Costanza, a woman who inspired Bernini's passion and became the subject of several of his works. Her gaze is direct, conveying a sense of both innocence and defiance, and her delicate features are rendered with exceptional detail. The bust's realistic portrayal of a contemporary figure, combined with its dramatic and expressive style, reflects the artistic innovations that characterized the Baroque period. It currently resides in the Bargello museum, Florence, a testament to the enduring power of Bernini's artistic legacy.