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May 2 8 tweets 3 min read Twitter logo Read on Twitter
Some art is so perfect, it can scarcely be believed that human hands created it. Image
Gian Lorenzo Bernini's "The Abduction of Proserpina", 1622. Sculpted by the young genius at only 23 years of age, it is considered by many to be his finest and most lifelike work. Image
It depicts Pluto, the god of the underworld, abducting the goddess Proserpina, the daughter of Jupiter. Pluto's tight grasp on Proserpina's thigh is captured with impossible realism. Image
Bernini is credited as founding the Baroque style of sculpture, incorporating movement and energy in a revolutionary way. In this piece, Pluto's forward march is obvious to the viewer, his weight carried on his forward foot. Image
The attention to detail in the expressions of each figure is astonishing. Proserpina's face reflects not only horror but also revulsion - her toes are even curled in disgust. Image
Meanwhile, Pluto's expression is a grin. His delicately detailed beard is just one of this sculpture's incredible feats. Image
At Pluto's feet stands Cerberus, the three-headed guardian of the underworld. Image
This 7.5-foot tall masterpiece, carved from Carrara marble, can be found in the Borghese Gallery in Rome. It lives there alongside several other of Bernini's iconic works, including "Apollo and Daphne" and "David". Image

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More from @Culture_Crit

Apr 30
If architecture is frozen music, then Siena is a symphony. Image
Inside and out, Siena Cathedral is an exquisite work of art - every inch is decorated with colored marble, mosaics, sculptures, and frescoes. Built over 175 years, it is one the finest architectural landmarks in all of Italy. Image
The architecture is a harmonious blend of styles, reflecting its long and complex history. It combines masterful elements of Romanesque, Gothic, Classical, and Baroque styles. Image
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Apr 27
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Apr 23
“Architecture is frozen music.” Image
The words of 18th century writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - few buildings give meaning to this phrase better than the Notre-Dame de Reims. Image
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Apr 19
There is no rope in this image. This is carved from a single block of marble.

Is there a person alive today who could do this? Image
This is "The Release from Deception" by Italian sculptor Francesco Queirolo, completed in 1759 after 7 years of work. It depicts a fisherman being released from netting by an angel, allegorical to the man being liberated from his sins. Image
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Apr 18
This is what divine inspiration looks like. Image
Florence Cathedral is a Renaissance wonder of art and engineering, completed in 1436.

It has the largest brick dome ever built and a stunning Tuscan facade of colored marble. Image
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Apr 17
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The Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Barcelona. Designed by Enric Sagnier, one of the most prolific architects in Spain, and completed in 1961 after almost 60 years. Image
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