Bust of Alessandro Peretti di Montalto

The Bust of Alessandro Peretti di Montalto is a stunning portrait sculpture by the renowned Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, created between 1622 and 1623. For many years, this masterpiece was thought to be lost until it was rediscovered in the 1980s. Today, it can be admired in the Kunsthalle Hamburg in Germany.

Bernini was commissioned by Cardinal Montalto to create several artworks, including the famous Neptune and Triton fountain and the David statue. The exact motivation behind the creation of this bust remains somewhat enigmatic. Some speculate that it might have been intended for a funerary monument for Cardinal Montalto, who passed away in 1623.

The sculpture has had quite a journey. In the early 1660s, it was located in the Villa Montalto, and by 1682, it had moved to the "Casa Peretti." Eventually, it found its way to the Kunsthalle Hamburg after being donated sometime after 1910.

Art historians are particularly impressed with the bust's lifelike details and the way it captures a sense of deep contemplation. Bernini's skill is evident in the naturalistic touches, such as the cardinal's unshaven cheeks, fleshy lower lip, and the pockmarks near his nose. Critics have praised Bernini's ability to bring vitality and elegance to formal ecclesiastical portraiture, making the Bust of Alessandro Peretti di Montalto a standout piece in his oeuvre.