The Elephant and Obelisk is a sculpture designed by the Italian artist Gianlorenzo Bernini. The elephant was probably executed by his assistant Ercole Ferrata

Ercole Ferrata

Ercole Ferrata was an Italian sculptor of the Roman Baroque.-Biography:A native of Pellio Inferiore, near Como, Ferrata initially apprenticed with Alessandro Algardi, and became one of his prime assistants...

; the Egyptian obelisk was uncovered during nearby excavations. It was unveiled in February 1667, just outside the Roman church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva

Santa Maria sopra Minerva

The Basilica of Saint Mary Above Minerva is a titular minor basilica and one of the most important churches of the Roman Catholic Dominican order in Rome, Italy. The church, located in the Piazza della Minerva in the Campus Martius region, is considered the only Gothic church in Rome. It houses...

, where it still stands now.

Known as "Bernini's Chick", it portrays an image originating in the Hypnerotomachia Polyphili of 1499.

The sculpture was commissioned by Pope Alexander VII

Pope Alexander VII

Pope Alexander VII , born Fabio Chigi, was Pope from 7 April 1655, until his death.- Early life :Born in Siena, a member of the illustrious banking family of Chigi and a great-nephew of Pope Paul V , he was privately tutored and eventually received doctorates of philosophy, law, and theology from...

, Fabio Chigi. It turned out to be the last commission he would ask of Bernini, as he died in May 1665, to be replaced by Pope Clement IX

Pope Clement IX

Pope Clement IX , born Giulio Rospigliosi, was Pope from 1667 to 1669.-Early life:Born Giulio Rospigliosi to a noble family of Pistoia, Grand Duchy of Tuscany, he was a pupil of the Jesuits. After receiving his doctorate in philosophy at the University of Pisa, he taught theology there...