Statue of King Philip IV of Spain (Bernini)

Statue of King Philip IV of Spain
Statue of King Philip IV of Spain
Artist	Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Year	1664–66
Type	Sculpture
Medium	Bronze
Subject	Philip IV of Spain
Location	Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
	41°53′51″N 12°29′55″E / 41.89750°N 12.49861°E
Preceded by	Bust of Louis XIV
Followed by	Elephant and Obelisk

The Statue of King Philip IV of Spain is a bronze sculpture by Italian artists Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Girolamo Lucenti depicting Philip IV of Spain, located in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, in Rome.

Bernini developed the initial design and oversaw the project, while Lucenti created the modello and cast the bronze, but "the statue is in every way the result of a process that involved successive aesthetic and technical contributions from both artists."^[1]

Description

King Philip IV is depicted as a military leader in historical attire, wearing a cuirass, cloak, and boots. He holds a scepter in his right hand while resting his left hand on the sword's hilt. His pose is captured in an exaggerated contrapposto stance, with his head turned towards the right and his gaze directed beyond the raised scepter, creating the impression that he is about to issue a command. The sculpture depicts the king as a hero, embodying the qualities of a warrior-king and protector of the Catholic church.^[2]

Location

The statue is located in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Upon entering the portico, the statue is against the right wall.^[3]

History

The statue was first proposed in 1643, but a contract was not signed until 1664. Work began the same year and the sculpture was completed in 1666.^[4]