Final answer:
Bernini's sculpture Ecstasy of St. Teresa, located in the Cornaro Chapel, Rome, is a profound representation of Counter-Reformation ideals, featuring an angelic vision experienced by Saint Teresa. The work combines architecture and theater to evoke an emotional connection and celebrates the spiritual intensity of the Catholic faith.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Counter-Reformation Agenda in Bernini's Ecstasy of St. Teresa
The marble sculpture Ecstasy of St. Teresa by Gian Lorenzo Bernini exemplifies the Counter-Reformation principles set forth by the Catholic Church during the 16th and 17th centuries.
This masterwork, situated within the Cornaro Chapel in the Santa Maria della Vittoria church in Rome, vividly portrays the spiritual experience of Saint Teresa of Avila.
Saint Teresa, a mystic and reformer, described a vision of an angel piercing her heart with a fiery arrow, a symbol of divine love's transformative power. Bernini captures this moment with exquisite detail in the sculpture's elegant drapery, dynamic composition, and the angel's tender interaction with St. Teresa.
Bernini's artistry extends beyond the sculpture itself, creating a sophisticated theatrical space incorporating architecture, sculpture, and theater set design. The white marble figure of St. Teresa is dramatically illuminated by natural light that enhances the sculpture's spiritual resonance.
The theatrical scene is further augmented by the incorporation of members of the Cornaro family in sculpted 'opera boxes', evoking their participation in the mystical event. Bernini's work encapsulates the Counter-Reformation's intent to evoke emotional engagement, religious fervor, and awe in response to portrayals of saintly ecstasies and miracles.