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Origins

Origins refers to the disputed history of the Statue of Pope Clement X, one of the final sculptural works by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The statue shows Pope Clement X in the act of benediction and is housed in the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica in the Palazzo Barberini, Rome. According to Rudolf Wittkower, three versions were in production in 1676: one for Cardinal Paluzzo Altieri, one for the refectory of Santa Trinità dei Convalescenti, and one for the library of the Palazzo Altieri. Wittkower believed the Palazzo Barberini work was the last of these, though E. A. Barletta suggested it may instead be the version for Santa Trinità dei Convalescenti. A bronze bust based on Bernini’s designs also exists in the Minneapolis Museum of Art.

Bernini’s marble bust of Pope Clement X with a raised right hand and a book in the left hand
Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s Bust of Clement X Altieri, showing the pope in elaborate clerical dress with a raised hand and book.
November 2024 © · CC0
Marble bust of Pope Clement X with a book and raised hand, featuring a scroll inscribed \
Bernini’s bust of Pope Clement X, shown with a book, raised hand, and inscribed scroll.
July 2015 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
White marble bust of Pope Clement X with a raised right hand and a small book in his left hand.
Bernini’s bust of Pope Clement X, shown with ornate robes, a raised hand, and a small book.
December 2017 © · CC BY 3.0
Marble bust of Clemente X wearing an ornate ecclesiastical garment, with a cap, rosary, and book.
Bernini’s marble bust of Clemente X, showing the pope in ornate ecclesiastical dress.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
White marble bust of Pope Clement X with a cap, mustache, and small beard, wearing elaborate clerical vestments and holding beads near his mouth.
Bernini’s bust of Pope Clement X in white marble, shown with richly carved clerical dress and a raised hand holding beads.
© · CC BY-SA 3.0
White marble bust of Pope Clement X with a mustache, pointed beard, and ornate robes, with one hand raised in a gesture.
White marble bust of Pope Clement X, shown with a raised hand and finely detailed robes.
December 2017 © · CC BY 3.0

Identification

TitleBust of Clement X
Typeportrait bust
SubjectPope Clement X
Alternative titleStatue of Pope Clement X

Creator

ArtistGian Lorenzo Bernini
Artist nationalityItalian

Historical context

Commission and intended versionsAccording to Rudolf Wittkower, Bernini was to make three versions in 1676: one for Cardinal Paluzzo Paluzzi Altieri Degli Albertoni, one for the refectory of the church of Santa Trinità dei Convalescenti, and one for the library of Palazzo Altieri
OriginUncertain
Status in artist's oeuvreOne of Bernini's last sculptural works
Date1676 (marble bust according to Rudolf Wittkower's reconstruction); a related bronze version was made around 1671

Discovery and provenance

Version identificationWittkower identified the surviving Palazzo Barberini marble bust as the version intended for the library of Palazzo Altieri, while E. A. Barletta suggested it may instead be the version intended for Santa Trinità dei Convalescenti
Related bronze versionA bronze bust after Bernini's designs survives at the Minneapolis Museum of Art and appears to have been made earlier, around 1671

Physical characteristics

MaterialMarble; a related bronze version also exists

Appearance

DepictionPope Clement X in the act of blessing

Location and ownership

Current locationGalleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica, Palazzo Barberini, Rome
Display statusCurrently on display
Current location of related bronze versionMinneapolis Museum of Art
Exhibition historyThe Palazzo Barberini version was exhibited at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles and the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra