"Damned Soul" terracotta bust from the early 19th century, follower of Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680).
The sculpture represents a young man oppressed by torment, looking downwards, as if observing, and simultaneously feeling, the horrors of hell. The extremely detailed expression of the subject, with wide eyes, arched eyebrows, and a gaping mouth, undoubtedly denotes strong horror on the face of the "satyr", but also a bit of surprise. Such an incisive and violent expression had never been experienced in the art world before Bernini's attempt. This artwork is juxtaposed with another bust, that of the "Blessed Soul": the two sculptures together, in fact, are the example of souls condemned to eternal damnation and those saved among the blessed.
Recent studies, however, have hypothesized that it is not the depiction of a Christian subject, but rather that of a satyr.
Bernini's sculpture "Damned Soul", according to multiple studies, was created in 1619 and is now preserved inside the Palace of Spain in Rome.
H cm.49 – D 20 cm. – W 29 cm.
