BERNINI, "BIBIANA"

Speranza






Early in 1624, the corpsy of Santa BIBIANA had been found in Rome.

Il papa URBANO (MAFFEO BARBERINI) used the occasion to have her church re-decorated.

BERNINI provided the statue of the saint behind the high altar.

Her left hand is holding the martyr's palm, the right arm rests on the column shaft, symbol of her martyrdom and, at the same time, a telling emblem of courage.

There's a lyrical bend of the head, the half-open mouth, the upward glance, as well as the transitory gesture of the raised right hand denote the instant of her blissful union with God.

Some of the folds of her mantle are freed from the law of gravity.