Gian Lorenzo Bernini was Cardinal Maffeo Barberini’s favorite artist. On his ascent to the papal throne in 1623 Urban VIII remarked, “It’s a great fortune for you, O Cavaliere, to see Cardinal Maffeo Barberini made Pope, but our fortune is even greater to have Cavalier Bernini alive in our pontificate.”
Thus, not surprisingly, the Pope immediately appointed Bernini curator of the papal art collection, director of the papal foundry at Castel Sant’Angelo, and commissioner of Piazza Navona’s fountains.
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