Beata Ludovica Albertoni
Encyclopedia
The "Beata Ludovica Albertoni" (completed 1674) is a funerary monument in the specially designed Altieri Chapel in the church of San Francesco a Ripa
in Trastevere
, Rome, Italy.
The sculpture and its setting in the Chapel were designed by the Baroque
artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini
.
It was commissioned from Bernini by Cardinal Paluzzi degli Albertoni, who had taken the name Altieri after the elevation of a kinsman of his family by marriage, who became Pope Clement X
(1670-76). It is not clear how much Bernini was paid. He was seventy one years old when he began the work, and it was one of his last sculptures. The white marble figure represents the nun Ludovica Albertoni
, a distant relative of the Cardinal
, on her deathbed; she died in 1533. She is portrayed as experiencing both mortal
suffering and religious ecstasy
, surrounded by putti, and waiting to rise to the Holy Spirit
. A recessed side window to the left helps to illuminate the sculptural subject.
The altarpiece
behind the sculpture is by Baciccio.
San Francesco a Ripa
San Francesco a Ripa is a church in Rome, Italy. It is dedicated to Francis of Assisi because the adjacent convent accommodated him, while the term Ripa refers to the nearby river-edge of the Tiber.-History:...
in Trastevere
Trastevere
Trastevere is rione XIII of Rome, on the west bank of the Tiber, south of Vatican City. Its name comes from the Latin trans Tiberim, meaning literally "beyond the Tiber". The correct pronunciation is "tras-TEH-ve-ray", with the accent on the second syllable. Its logo is a golden head of a lion on a...
, Rome, Italy.
The sculpture and its setting in the Chapel were designed by the Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Gian Lorenzo Bernini was an Italian artist who worked principally in Rome. He was the leading sculptor of his age and also a prominent architect...
.
It was commissioned from Bernini by Cardinal Paluzzi degli Albertoni, who had taken the name Altieri after the elevation of a kinsman of his family by marriage, who became Pope Clement X
Pope Clement X
Pope Clement X , born Emilio Bonaventura Altieri, was Pope from 29 April 1670 to 22 July 1676.-Early life:Emilio Altieri was born in Rome, the son of Lorenzo Altieri and Victoria Delphini, a Venetian lady...
(1670-76). It is not clear how much Bernini was paid. He was seventy one years old when he began the work, and it was one of his last sculptures. The white marble figure represents the nun Ludovica Albertoni
Ludovica Albertoni
Ludovica Albertoni , sometimes known as Louisa Albertoni or Ludovica Albertoni Cetera, is considered a blessed person in Christianity. Her feast day is January 31....
, a distant relative of the Cardinal
Cardinal (Catholicism)
A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
, on her deathbed; she died in 1533. She is portrayed as experiencing both mortal
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
suffering and religious ecstasy
Religious ecstasy
Religious ecstasy is an altered state of consciousness characterized by greatly reduced external awareness and expanded interior mental and spiritual awareness which is frequently accompanied by visions and emotional/intuitive euphoria...
, surrounded by putti, and waiting to rise to the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
. A recessed side window to the left helps to illuminate the sculptural subject.
The altarpiece
Altarpiece
An altarpiece is a picture or relief representing a religious subject and suspended in a frame behind the altar of a church. The altarpiece is often made up of two or more separate panels created using a technique known as panel painting. It is then called a diptych, triptych or polyptych for two,...
behind the sculpture is by Baciccio.
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