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Gian Lorenzo Bernini / Bust of Cardinal Richelieu
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Bust of Cardinal Richelieu

1641 · Marble

Bernini carved the French statesman's likeness in Rome from painted portraits, never having seen him in person.

ArtistGGian Lorenzo Bernini
MuseumLLouvre
MovementBBaroque
LocationParis, France
Genrebust
DimensionsHeight 83 cm
SourceWikidata Q3647650

Why it matters

Bernini carved Cardinal Richelieu without ever meeting him, working from portraits sent from France. Richelieu was not pleased with it and quickly commissioned another bust from Jean Warin.

Did you know?

  • It was carved in 1640–1641.
  • Richelieu wanted a full-length statue, but Pope Urban VIII would not allow it.
  • It is in the Louvre.

Based on the Wikipedia article Bust of Cardinal Richelieu (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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