Delicato

I was born in Napoli on December 7, 1598 and departed this life in Rome on November 28, 1680. During my time here I was most known for my painting and sculpting abilities. My father was also an artist and our name has gone down in history. I had a greatness of talent and enjoyed instant fame. My most notable works included the Baldacchino di San Pietro, Piazza San Pietro, Davide (Museo Borghese), Fountain of Four Rivers (Piazza Navona), Triton Fountain (Piazza Barberini), Apollo and Daphne & Pluto and Proserpina (Museo Borghese). In pictures I have an unassuming look, a gentle, delicate, humble demeanor it would seem. My works, even viewed up close, look life-like.

If anyone on this planet was to find their niche in life and do the most with the talent they were given, it was GianLorenzo Bernini. (JohnLawrence Bernini) Some of his sculptures, I recently saw, at the Borghese Museum and like Michelangelo before him these works manage to take your breath. Expressions, fingers gripping flesh, limbs transforming into leaves, motion found in marble. It's all there and it is fascinating!

Everytime I have gone to the Borghese Museum they have been sold out. (I have been three times) The first time I bought a ticket for the next morning. I was running late and missed that opportunity. The next time, again the museum was sold out. The third time I knew exactly what I was going to say in Italian and didn't pause or stumble with my phrasing when inquiring about a ticket. I was determined to get in. Ironically, the desk offered me a ticket for the next available time which was one hour from then. With anticipation I purchased my ticket and headed to the gift shop. I bought a poster of Bernini who now blankets my wall in my flat. This is a self portrait he did, oil on canvas.

Sometimes I think his expression in this painting is saying- something shy and not confident. Other times he looks to be to be exhausted. Then some days the painting says to me - life was difficult. Other times it looks like he enjoyed the finer things. Certainly his contacts in this city of Rome and his celebrity like status would have opened many doors to the 'finer things in life.' But like Michelangleo who was said to be obsessed with his work spending tireless hours on his craft, forgetting even to remove his shoes, (thus his skin began growing into the leather) perhaps Bernini was also an obsessed overachiever. He certainly accomplish a lot in his life and this city is teeming with his incredible work.

I think today if we were to run into one another on the street. My assumption is that JohnLawrence would be quite gracious, as all Italians seem to be. I would naturally speak at the level of an infant explaining my appreciation of his talent, in Italian. And I believe he would humor me, thank me, and move on. As one ragazzo (beau) put it to me weeks ago...'Parlare con te e stanchezza, ma provo perche mi piace tu molto.' Translated this means: 'To talk with you is fatiguing but I try because I like you a lot.' After I got over the initial moment of learning that the word 'fatigue' was being used to describe spending time with me, the overall message I realized was one that was positive.

Which brings me to two points for today. 1. Go to the Borghese Museum of you haven't yet. Enjoy a long walk in the beautiful Borghese park on your way there. There is no finer park in the world, secondo me. (in my opinion) 2. Many Italian boys are spoiled and that's fun to watch. But my latest theory on the matter is perhaps, in turn, this creates problems when they are men. And why I seem to see so many women yelling at them on the streets. But I do so love watching them being spoiled when they are little. They seem to have the finest clothes, the upmost care, everything at their disposal. When I ask grown men if they were spoiled (because I can see it in their eyes now as adults as well as in photos of them as children) they are quick to answer...yes. Some even add that they are 'delicato' delicate men, now, because of it. Which makes me giggle as such a description. Signore Bernini looks as if he was forse 'delicato' anche.

And I think to myself, I wish I would have been spoiled...

(To those reading this who might think that I was. I then have to say, I have a different definition of being spoiled. It's the 'Italian spoiled' I would have loved basking in.) :)

Sto vivendo il mio sogno... (I am living my dream...)