Bernini's Bacchanal: A Faun Teased by Children

Bacchanal: Faun Teased by Children is a piece created by both Gian Lorenzo Bernini and his father, Pietro Bernini. It shows the beginning stages of an artist’s incredible trajectory, indicating the techniques and style that Gian Lorenzo would one day master and become famous for. Plus, it is one of the only collaborative pieces between Gian Lorenzo and Pietro - not master dictating and student executing but a joint effort from start to finish. Here we explore the background of the two artists and present a close read of the sculpture itself.

Running Time: 6 minutes and 13 seconds

By: Elise Beck, Catherine Cong, and Honor Sargent