BERNINI, NETTUNO e TRITONE, Villa MONTALTO di Alessandro PERETTI.

Speranza




It is this group that provides a link between the semi-mannerist group "ENEA, ANCHISE ED ASCANIO", and the fully developed "PLUTONE E PROSERPINA" and "DAVID".

The "NETTUNO E TRITONE", to be dated 1620, is Bernini's first work where the SILHOUTTE is BROKEN, where the CLIMAX of a TRANSITORY action is given and where the action ecxtends beyond the physical limits of the marble block.

By illustrating Virgil's QUOS EGO, for which a long PICTORIAL tradition existed, Bernini chose to represent a distinct and DRAMATIC moment in the life of NETTUNO.

The circumstances of the scene may be recalled.

GIUNO had incited the wind-god EOLO to let loose a storm on the TROJAN fleet.

NETTUNO, seeing his protégé ENEA in danger, appeared, and swinging his trident in OLYMPIAN wrath, ordered the seas to be still.

The god's expression, attitude and gestures could hardly be more appropriate.

NETTUNO turns his angry look towards the water, which gushes forth at his feet, imposing his command by thrusting down with his trident.

The whole POND has thus turned into his field of action, and the spectator is drawn into an imaginary world, laden with emotions and literary associations.