Model for The Blessed Ludovica Albertoni at The V&A, London

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This terracotta is a rough outline for a marble sculpture of the Franciscan nun Ludovica Albertoni in the Altieri chapel in the church of San Francesco a Ripa in Rome. The decoration of the chapel was commissioned from Lorenzo Bernini by Cardinal Paluzzi degli Albertoni in 1671. Despite losses to the face and the pillow, the terracotta is one of Bernini's most significant late models. Unlike his other known sketch-models, the back has been shaped. This is an unnecessary detail considering the placement of the finished work in the chapel. The rounded working of the figure and the delicate rendering of the face suggest that it may have served as a presentation piece for the patron and as a working model for the artist himself. Unlike many of his other compositions, which were carved by his assistants, Bernini executed the marble largely himself, and he undertook the work without payment. The treatment of the figure is reminiscent of one of Bernini's most famous works, the Ecstacy of St Theresa in the Cornaro Chapel in the church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, Rome. The vibrant movement in the folds of drapery and the placement of her hands, the right one pressed into her breast, focus the viewer on Ludovica's mystical union with God. This dramatic depiction of spiritual ecstacy encapsulates the baroque style. Born in 1473, the noblewoman-turned-nun Ludovica Albertoni was renowned for her charitable works. She died of a fever in 1533 while tending to the sick. Cardinal Albertoni was a descendant of her family. He had been adopted as cardinal-nephew in 1670 by Clement X Altieri, the pope's niece having married into his family. When the pope sanctioned the cult of the Blessed Ludovica Albertoni in January 1671, the cardinal commissioned the refurbishment of the chapel where his holy ancestor was buried. He thereby celebrated both the papal family and himself. Gallery location: Europe 1600-1815, Room 7, The Sheikha Amna Bint Mohammed Al Thani Gallery, case CA1 This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access for free. Scan the World is an open source community effort. If you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help. Scanned: Photogrammetry (Processed using Agisoft PhotoScan) Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London