Bernini's Beloved

A Portrait of Costanza Piccolomini

By: Sarah McPhee

Narrated by: Robert Blumenfeld

With lips slightly parted and eyes fixed on a point in the distance, a breathtaking marble portrait of Costanza Piccolomini appears alive. Carved by Gianlorenzo Bernini in 1636 - 37 for his own pleasure, the portrait of Costanza is one of his most captivating works, but until now little has been known about its subject.

For centuries Costanza was identified only as Bernini's mistress, who later incited his rage by betraying him for his brother. Author Sarah McPhee corrects and expands this story in her remarkable biography of a sculpture and its subject. Bernini's Beloved sets the bust and Costanza's own life - her childhood and noble name, her marriage, affair, fall from grace, and recovery - against the backdrop of Baroque Rome. Beautifully written, this fascinating story expands our understanding of the woman whose intelligence and passion served as inspiration for Bernini's celebrated sculpture, and who courageously forged a life for herself in the decades following its creation.

©2012 Sarah McPhee (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Great content. Narration was flat, no PDF

I loved the content. However, I found the narration very boring and struggled to stay engaged.
I also wish there was a PDF file that accompanied this book showing the works discussed.

Hard to evaluate

This listen is boring! Robert Blumenfeld reads paragraphs is Italian then translates into English, the narrative goes on and on about Costanza's husband, daughter, lovers but not so much about Costanza herself. I didn't expect to hear much about Bernini which was a good thing. For art lovers and art students, I don't feel you will come away from this listen feeling enriched. Sorry, I must recommend a pass.