Pietro Bracci Paintings

Pietro Bracci was an Italian sculptor who is best known for his work in the Late Baroque period. Born on June 4, 1700, in Rome, Bracci showed artistic talent from a young age and was initially trained by his father, a sculptor named Giuseppe Bracci. Pietro went on to further his studies under notable artists such as Giuseppe Sanmartino and Camillo Rusconi, which greatly influenced his artistic development.

Bracci's work was characterized by dynamic movement and intricate detail, hallmarks of the Baroque style. He became prominent in Rome, where he contributed significantly to the artistic landscape of the city with his religious and mythological sculptures. His most famous work is the colossal marble group 'Oceanus' or 'Neptune' for the Trevi Fountain in Rome, completed after the death of its original designer, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. This work exemplifies Bracci's skill in creating dramatic, lifelike figures that seem to interact with the surrounding water.

Throughout his career, Bracci was also involved in many other important projects, including the design and decoration of chapels, tombs, and altars in Roman churches. He worked on the Corsini Chapel in San Giovanni in Laterano and the Altieri Chapel in San Francesco a Ripa, among others. His work was not limited to Rome; Bracci received commissions from other parts of Italy and from abroad, reflecting his widespread reputation.

Bracci's artistic legacy influenced the next generation of sculptors, and his approach to sculpture was particularly noted for its combination of naturalism with a sense of grandeur and emotion. He died on February 13, 1773, in Rome, leaving behind a body of work that continued to be celebrated for its contribution to the Baroque movement and its impact on the evolution of European sculpture.