Antonio Raggi (1624–1686) – a second pair of hands for master Bernini

Antonio Raggi, Angel supporting the coat of arms of Pope Alexander VII, Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo

Antonio Raggi, Angel supporting the coat of arms of Pope Alexander VII, Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo

The fact that Gian Lorenzo Bernini created so many very good works can to a large extent be attributed to his devoted and able collaborators, who regardless of the master’s moods, faithfully completed the works he entrusted them with. One of the most faithful and skilled was Raggi. We can even say that thanks to him Bernini had two additional hands – so great was he at sensing the emotionality and expression of the master’s sculptures.

Antonio Raggi, Angel supporting the coat of arms of Pope Alexander VII, Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo
Antonio Raggi, The Baptism of Christ in the main altar of the Church of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini
Antonio Raggi, statue of St. Bernard of Siena in the Chigi Chapel, Basilica of Santa Maria della Pace
Antonio Raggi, The Death of St. Cecilia, side altar of the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone
Antonio Raggi, main altar in the Ginetti Chapel, Basilica of Sant'Andrea della Valle
Antonio Raggi, stucco decorations in the Church of Il Gesù
Antonio Raggi, Angel with a column, Ponte Sant'Angelo
Antonio Raggi, personification of the Danube, Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi
Antonio Raggi, Noli me tangere group, Church of Santi Domenico e Sisto
Antonio Raggi, stucco decorations of the dome of the Church of Sant’Andrea al Quirinale
Antonio Raggi, personifications of the virtues (Sensibility and Prudence) from the tombstone of marquis Gastaldi, Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli
Antonio Raggi, figure of St. John the Baptist, Gavotti Chapel,  Church of San Nicola da Tolentino
Antonio Raggi, Angels in the altar of the transept of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo
Attributed to Antonio Raggi figure of St. Francis above the enterance to the Church of San Francesco dei Stigmati
Antonio Raggi, statue of Cardinal Maurizio Ginetti in the Ginetti Chapel, Basilica of Sant'Andrea della Valle
Antonio Raggi,  vault of the Church of Sant’Andrea al Quirinale
Antonio Raggi, angels supporting a painting of the Madonna in the main altar, Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli
Tombstone of cardinal Pimentel, Antonio Raggi – allegory of Mercy (on the left), Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva
Antonio Raggi,  allegory of Mercy from the tombstone of Cardinal Pimentel, Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva
Group with a dedication devoted to Pope Innocent X, work attributed to Antonio Raggi, Church of Sant'Andrea al Quirinale
Antonio Raggi, medallion in the lintel depicting Philip Benitius Refusing the Papal Tiara, Church of San Marcello
Antonio Raggi, one of the medallions on the façade depicting Pope Sixtus IV, Church of Santa Maria della Pace

The fact that Gian Lorenzo Bernini created so many very good works can to a large extent be attributed to his devoted and able collaborators, who regardless of the master’s moods, faithfully completed the works he entrusted them with. One of the most faithful and skilled was Raggi. We can even say that thanks to him Bernini had two additional hands – so great was he at sensing the emotionality and expression of the master’s sculptures.

He came, as did many sculptors of that time, from the area around Lake Como. After coming to Rome, he found employment in the workshop of Alessandro Algardi, but quickly became the student of Bernini. He accompanied him until death. His best independent work is considered to be a marble altar in the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, in which following the emotional glossary of his master, he was able to impart the delicateness and gentle sadness of the scene of the martyr’s death of St. Cecilia.


Selected structures of Antonio Raggi in Rome, completed independently or at the commission of Gian Lorenzo Bernini:

       
  •       Church of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini

Main altar with the scene of The Baptism of Christ, approx. 1655

  •     Church of Santa Maria della Pace

Chigi Chapel – figure of St. Bernard of Siena

Medallions on the church façade

  •     Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone

Side altar – The Death of St. Cecilia, 1666

Altar and the statue of Cardinal Maurizio Ginetti in the Ginetti Chapel, 1681

Stuccos between windows  

Angel with Column according to a drawing by Bernini

Personification of the Danube according to a design by Bernini

  •     Church Santi Domenico e Sisto

  Noli me tangere group, 1649

Stucco decorations at the base of the dome and in the apse

Personifications of virtues on the tombstones of both cardinal and marquis Gastaldi in the church apse, angels supporting a painting of Our Lady in the main altar

  Gavotti Chapel– statue of St. John the Baptist

Angels in the transept, some of the figures of saints at the base of the vault