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The Vision of Constantine

The Vision of Constantine is an equestrian statue by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, positioned at the base of the Scala Regia in the Apostolic Palace of Vatican City. It was initially commissioned as a work to be installed without any special link inside St. Peter’s Basilica, but it was conceived in 1670 after Bernini had long worked on the reconstruction of the staircase, as an integral part of it. Art historians generally agree that the sculpture was carried out almost entirely by Bernini himself, in part because no other artists were paid for the commission. Bernini was paid a total of 7,000 Roman scudi for the work.

The Vision of Constantine, a white marble equestrian statue lit by sunlight inside an ornate niche.
The Vision of Constantine in the Scala Regia, shown as a dramatic white marble equestrian statue.
May 2017 © · CC BY 3.0
The Vision of Constantine, a white marble equestrian statue of a rearing horse framed by ornate architecture and dark drapery.
The Vision of Constantine in the Scala Regia, shown as a dramatic white marble equestrian statue beneath ornate architectural framing.
May 2017 © · CC BY 3.0
The Vision of Constantine, a white marble equestrian statue of a man on a rearing horse with arms outstretched.
The Vision of Constantine shown as a dramatic white marble equestrian sculpture.
May 2017 © · CC BY 3.0
The Vision of Constantine marble statue of a man on a rearing horse, lit by a dramatic shaft of light.
The Vision of Constantine shown in dramatic light, with the rider and rearing horse silhouetted against a dark interior.
May 2017 © · CC BY 3.0
The Vision of Constantine sculpture depicted as a light-colored horse and rider with the rider’s head shrouded in drapery.
Bozzetto for The Vision of Constantine, showing a horse and rider with the rider’s head covered in flowing drapery.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

TitleThe Vision of Constantine
Working titleCostantino
TypeEquestrian statue
Original-language titleLa Visione di Costantino

Materials

MaterialMarble

Creator

AuthorshipHistorians of art agree it was made almost entirely by Bernini himself
ArtistGian Lorenzo Bernini
Artist nationalityItalian

Historical context

Project revived underPope Alexander VII
Probable commissionerPope Innocent X
Context of creationOriginally commissioned as an independent, free-standing work for St. Peter's Basilica, then reworked for Bernini's redesigned Scala Regia
Date installed12 January 1669
Date completed1668
Date of conception1654

Discovery and provenance

Preparation materialsA large marble block and terracotta/clay models
Work on marble block began1662
Preparatory studiesSketches and bozzetti
Transport to installation siteIt took ten days to move the sculpture from Bernini's workshop to the Scala Regia, with guards watching at night
Transport methodsStraw, winches, planks, beams, sledges, and oxen were used
Fee to Bernini7,000 Roman scudi
Evidence for authorshipNo other sculptors or artists are known to have been paid for the commission

Location and ownership

Current locationAt the base of the Scala Regia of the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, by St. Peter's Basilica
Scala Regia descriptionThe main ceremonial staircase between St. Peter's Basilica and the Apostolic Palace
Relation to Scala RegiaConceived as an integral part of the staircase
Later intended locationBernini's redesigned Scala Regia
Original intended locationInside St. Peter's Basilica

Physical characteristics

Scale adjustmentThe sculpture was initially overwhelmed by the large niche, prompting changes to fit the new site
Added elementA large, dynamic drapery was placed behind the statue
Post-installation finishingArchitectural and decorative work, including the drapery, and polishing of the sculpture continued through 1669

Iconography and meaning

SubjectConstantine the Great
Depicted sceneBefore the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, Constantine prays with his army and sees a cross in the sky above the sun with the inscription 'In hoc signo vinces' ('By this sign, you will conquer')
Associated battleBattle of the Milvian Bridge
Associated opponentMaxentius, the pagan Roman emperor
Aftermath in the narrativeConstantine won the battle, entered Rome in triumph, and granted religious tolerance to Christians
Religious significanceThe vision convinced Constantine and his troops and is presented as a miracle significant to Christian history

Significance

Contextual significanceConstantine was especially appealing to later popes as an early Christian ruler