Bernardino Ludovisi (c. 1693 – 11 December 1749), also called Bernardo, was an Italian sculptor.
Life and work
Little is known of his life. The Ludovisi were an ancient Italian family, originally from Bologna. Bernardino seems to have spent most, if not all, of his career in Rome. He is an example of a working sculptor of his time, proficient in his craft but largely forgotten today.
Ludovisi participated in several prominent sculptural projects of his day, such as the Trevi Fountain, the ongoing sculptural works of St Peter’s, and the facade of St John Lateran. He was one of six Italian sculptors allotted subsidiary tasks to the French masters Pierre Le Gros and Jean-Baptiste Theodon working on the Chapel of St Ignatius in Il Gesu. He was also one of the sculptors commissioned by King Joao V of Portugal to supply sculpture to his palatial complex at Mafra. Towards the end of his life he was employed by the Colonna family, prominent patrons of the arts, for whom he completed the funerary monuments of Filippo II Colonna and Maria Rospigliosi Salviati (the latter commissioned by her relative, Caterina Salviati Colonna), as well as a portrait bust of Pope Benedict XIV (a gift from Monsignor—later Cardinal—Marcantonio Colonna to the Pontiff).
Ludovisi began in the vein of Baroque classicism, but as he matured he began to lean toward the French style of Le Gros and the Rococo, exemplifying a later, gentler variation of Italian Baroque which Enggass named barocchetto. His work is characterised by an attention to detail, an effective use of colour, and a painterly manner in his reliefs.
Four Evangelists (stucco, c.1723–1724), facade of Santissima Trinita dei Pellegrini, Rome.God the Father (marble, bronze and lapis lazuli, 1726), Chapel of St Ignatius, Il Gesu, Rome.Charity (terracotta, c. 1728), Museo di Palazzo Venezia, Rome (attributed)Bust of Cardinal Pompeo Aldrovandi (1728), Accademia di Belle Arti di Bologna.Charity (travertine, 1728–1730), St Peters, Vatican, RomeSt Cajetan of Thiene (marble, 1733), portico, Basilica, Mafra, PortugalSt Francis of Paola (marble, 1733), portico, Basilica, Mafra, PortugalSt Augustine (travertine, c.1735), atop the crowning balustrade of the main facade, S. Giovanni in Laterno, RomeNaming of John the Baptist (relief, c. 1735), narthex, S. Giovanni in Laterno, RomeCaritas Romana (terracotta, c. 1735), State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg.Fertility of the Fields (marble, 1736), Trevi Fountain, Rome.Angels and cherub heads (stucco, c. 1735–1740), presbytery, S. Maria degli Angeli, RomeMary Magdalene (marble, c. 1735–1740), Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence (attributed)Caritas Romana (marble, 1737), Jardim do Ultramar, LisbonCopy of Caritas Romana (marble, date unknown), Museo de Arte de Ponce, Puerto Rico (artist unknown)Winged Glory (terracotta, c. 1742), State Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg.Giovanni Patrizj Offers His Riches to the Pope (marble relief, 1743), narthex, S. Maria Maggiore, RomeUnidentified Pope (Travertine, c. 1743–1744), atop facade, S. Maria Maggiore, RomeSt John the Baptist Preaching in the Wilderness (marble relief, 1743–1747), vault, Chapel of St John the Baptist, Sao Roque, Lisbon.Two Putti (silver, 1743–1747) flanking Adoration of the Lamb of God altar frontal, Museu de Sao Roque, Lisbon.Tomb of Giorgio Cardinal Spinola (white & polychrome marbles, gesso, bronze, 1744), left aisle, S. Salvatore alle Coppelle, RomeTomb of Prince Filippo II Colonna (white & coloured marbles with gilt bronze, 1745), S. Andrea, Paliano, Italy.Portrait Bust of Pope Benedict XIV (white marble, gilt bronze, precious stones, 1746), private collection.Glory of Angels (marble, gilt bronze & stucco, 1747), presbytery, S. Apollinare, RomeAngels Bearing Lilies (marble, c. 1748), balustrade, Chapel of S Luigi Gonzaga, S. Ignazio, RomeTwo Putti (marble, c. 1748), flanking sarcophagus, Chapel of St Louis Gonzaga, S. Ignazio, Rome (attributed)Monument of Maria Rospigliosi Salviati (white & coloured marbles, 1749), Colonna Chapel, Santi Apostoli, Rome.The Evangelist Matthew (teracotta, no date), Inv.-Nr.9/87, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin.Tomb of Don Porfirio Antonini, S. Giovanni in Ayno, Rome (no longer used as a church, tomb has disappeared)