Memorial to Ippolito Merenda

Summary

The Memorial to Ippolito Merenda is a funerary monument designed by the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini between 1636 and 1638. Along with the similar monument for Alessandro Valtrini, this artwork was a startling new approach to funerary monuments, incorporating dynamic, flowing inscriptions being dragged by a moving figure of death.[1] It is in the church of San Giacomo alla Lungara in Rome.

Memorial to Ippolito Merenda
ArtistGian Lorenzo Bernini
Year1636–38 (1636–38)
Catalogue43
TypeSculpture
MediumMarble relief
SubjectIppolito Merenda
DimensionsLife-size skeleton
LocationSan Giacomo alla Lungara, Rome
Preceded byMemorial to Alessandro Valtrini
Followed byMemorial to Maria Raggi

Merenda was from Cesena in Emilia Romagna. He left a bequest to San Giacomo della Lungara (of 20,000 Roman scudi) on his death in 1636. One of the nephews of the then pope Urban VIII, Cardinal Francesco Barberini, then commissioned the monument from Bernini in recognition of Merenda's contribution.[2]

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Wittkower 1997, p. 210.
  2. ^ Bernstock 1981, pp. 210–232.

References edit

  • Bernstock, Judith E. (June 1981). "Bernini's Memorials to Ippolito Merenda and Alessandro Valtrini". The Art Bulletin. 63 (2). College Art Association: 210–32. doi:10.1080/00043079.1981.10787873. JSTOR 3050113.
  • Wittkower, Rudolf (1997). Gian Lorenzo Bernini: The Sculptor of the Roman Baroque. London: Phaidon Press. ISBN 978-0801414305.