Saint Agnes
early 18th century
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
Overall (confirmed): 13 15/16 × 6 × 5 7/8 in. (35.4 × 15.2 × 14.9 cm)
Classification
Sculpture-Bronze
Culture
Italian, Rome
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Bequest of Vivian W. Lehman, 1978
Accession Number
1978.202
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's European Sculpture and Decorative collection, Gian Lorenzo Bernini's *Saint Agnes* (early 18th century captures the divine grace of the young Roman martyr in lustrous bronze. Measuring just 14 inches tall, this intimate sculpture depicts Saint Agnes, the third-century virgin saint symbolizing purity and chastityher name derived from the Latin *agnus* for lamb, often evoking innocence. Bernini, the Baroque genius behind Rome's dramatic fountains and St. Peter's masterpieces, infuses the figure with his signature vitality, her gentle gaze upward suggesting heavenly contemplation amid earthly trials. Crafted in bronze, a medium Bernini mastered for its warm patina and enduring strength, the sculpture exemplifies high Baroque techniques: fluid drapery clings to her form, conveying both spiritual elevation and human tenderness. Though small-scale, it likely served devotional purposes in a Roman palace or church, reflecting the Counter-Reformation's emphasis on emotive saints to inspire faith. Acquired through the 1978 bequest of Vivian W. Lehman, this piece highlights Bernini's profound influence on Italian sculpture, blending classical poise with theatrical emotion. Visitors will appreciate how *Saint Agnes* embodies Rome's Catholic fervor, inviting quiet reflection on resilience and sanctity in an age of artistic grandeur.
About the Artist
Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Italian) · 1598 –1680
Italian, Naples 1598–1680 Rome