Tabernacle

Abstract

Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680) between 1673 and 1674, the tabernacle in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in Saint Peter’s in the Vatican was commissioned during the pontificate of Clement X (reigned 1670–1676). Inspired by Bramante’s Tempietto at San Pietro in Montorio and the early Christian anastasis (destroyed) erected over the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, Bernini’s gilded bronze structure rises like a miniature temple over the altar, enshrining the consecrated Eucharist. Richly ornamented with lapis lazuli and gold, it is crowned by a diminutive figure of Christ atop the dome and encircled by statuettes of the twelve apostles along the cornice. Framing the tabernacle are two kneeling bronze angels, one attributed directly to Bernini and the other likely completed by an assistant. Photograph(s) licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.