Statue of Pope Clement X

The Statue of Pope Clement X is one of the final sculptural works executed by the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It depicts Pope Clement X in the act of benediction, and is housed in the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica in the Palazzo Barberini, Rome.

Origins
There is considerable confusion over the origins of the statue. According to Rudolf Wittkower, there were three versions in production during 1676. One was intended for the pope's nephew Cardinal Paluzzo Altieri, another to be placed the refectory of the church of Santa Trinità dei Convalescenti and a third for the library of the Palazzo Altieri.

Wittkower believed that the version for library is the version that is now the existing version, although EA Barletta indicated that the version for Santa Trinità dei Convalescenti may be the existing version.

There is also a bronze bust, based on Bernini's designs, of Clement X. This is currently in the Minneapolis Museum of Art, but appears to have been executed earlier, around 1671.

Exhibitions
The statue has appeared in exhibitions at the Getty Museum in California, and the National Gallery of Art, Canberra, Australia.

References

Category:1670s sculptures
Category:Busts in Italy
Category:Marble sculptures in Italy
Category:Monuments and memorials in Italy
Category:Busts by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Category:Sculptures of popes