Truth Unveiled by Time is a stunning marble sculpture created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini between 1646 and 1652. The artwork depicts Truth as a young, naked woman being revealed by Time above her. Unfortunately, the figure of Time was never completed. The sculpture is a magnificent combination of sculpture, painting, decoration, architecture, and light. The Cornaro family is present in the artwork, their sculptures peering into the scene from the side, producing a theatrical effect.
Bernini, the greatest sculptor of the 17th century and a brilliant architect, defined the Baroque style of sculpture, characterized primarily by emotion and tension. His works reflect the Baroque era’s intense emotional expressionism, and Truth Unveiled by Time is just one of them. Bernini dominated the art scene of seventeenth-century Rome and challenged artistic traditions of that time.
In summary, Truth Unveiled by Time by Gian Lorenzo Bernini embodies the spirit of Baroque art. The unfinished sculpture provides viewers with an interpretation of the allegorical concept of Truth, with Time depicted as a powerful figure. The accompanying Cornaro family sculptures add to the theatrical effect, highlighting the complexity of the ensemble. The artwork is an example of Bernini’s remarkable talent for sculpture, architecture, and design, which made him a leading sculptor throughout the seventeenth century.