Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680) was the sculptor and architect who gave Rome its Baroque face, credited with creating the Baroque style. Born in Naples, he moved to Rome in 1606 with his father, Pietro Bernini, and under Cardinal Borghese made four masterpieces in 1619–1625, including Apollo and Daphne.

Urban VIII made him architect of St Peter's, where he raised the nearly 30-metre bronze Baldacchino over the tomb. When cracks appeared under the bell tower, enemies led by Borromini blamed him, and after Urban VIII's death Innocent X had it demolished in 1646; Bernini answered with the Four Rivers Fountain and Cornaro Chapel, where the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa is staged as theatre.

Under Alexander VII he built St Peter's Square colonnades, the Cathedra Petri and the Scala Regia. His 1665 Louvre designs were rejected; working until two weeks before a stroke, he was buried at Santa Maria Maggiore.