Portrait Bust of Pope Clement X, modeled c. 1668 (cast late 17th century)
Circle of Gianlorenzo Berniniexpand_more
Bronzeexpand_more
The Miscellaneous Works of Art Purchase Fundexpand_more 59.7
On View in Gallery 310expand_more
Elected pope in 1670 at the age of eighty, Clement X at first refused to accept the job, but then launched into a frenzy of activity during his papacy of six years. In this sculptural likeness, Clement’s turned head and the dramatic folds of his robes suggest a man engaged in dynamic conversation. His embroidered stole shows the papal insignia—the crossed keys and the tiara—and the six stars from the pope’s family coat of arms. Bernini, the pope’s frequent go-to artist, and his contemporaries in Rome breathed new energy into an old art form, the portrait bust, by focusing on the living presence and personality of their sitters.
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Details
- Title
- Portrait Bust of Pope Clement X
- Artist Life
- Italian, 1598–1680
- Role
- Sculptor
- Accession Number
- 59.7
- Curator Approved
This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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