| Artist | Bernini |
|---|---|
| Year | 1667 |
| Type | Marble Sculpture |
| Location | Piazza della Minerva, Rome |
The Elephant and Obelisk is a sculpture designed by the Italian artist Gianlorenzo Bernini. The elephant was probably executed by his assistant Ercole Ferrata; the Egyptian obelisk was uncovered during nearby excavations. [1] It was unveiled in February 1667, just outside the Roman church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, where it still stands now.
Known as "Bernini's Chick", it portrays an image originating in the Hypnerotomachia Polyphili of 1499.
The sculpture was commissioned by Pope Alexander VII, Fabio Chigi. It turned out to be the last commission he would ask of Bernini, as he died in May 1665, to be replaced by Pope Clement IX