In Truth Unveiled by Time (Bernini), how is the Artist's intent discussed?
In creating this work, Bernini intended to give visual representation to a familiar saying used to console victims of injustice: Fear not, for sooner or later time will reveal the truth.While Bernini was certainly not the first artist to touch on this subject matter, as the theme was already popular in literature and art, he managed to create an original interpretation beyond those previously made by others. The originality and source of distinction in Bernini's rendition is its literal nature – that is, making the action of unveiling the primary focus of representation. Where previous works of literature and art were more concerned with the subjects of Truth and Time, Bernini was more concerned with their actions and what that meant.
Despite not completing the companion figure of Father Time, we do know something of what Bernini had in mind for the finished composition thanks to a surviving preparatory drawing found in Leipzig and an artist's account in a diary.
The completed work as envisioned by Bernini would have featured the old, winged figure of Father Time in the act of stripping clothing from the much younger figure of Lady Time, who smiles on in delight as her naked truth is exposed for the world to see.