How did Gian Lorenzo Bernini organize his workshop for large commissions?

As the number of his commissions grew, particularly following his appointment as architect of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Palazzo Barberini in 1629, Gian Lorenzo Bernini successfully organized his studio to manage large-scale projects.1

He effectively planned his work and relied on a team of assistants to execute sculptures and ornamentations. By delegating tasks while maintaining oversight, Bernini ensured that the final results produced by his workshop appeared as a unified, cohesive whole. This collaborative approach allowed him to undertake vast, complex commissions—such as the redecoration of the Sant’Angelo Bridge or the execution of the tomb of Alexander VII—where he provided the design and direction while pupils and assistants handled much of the labor.123

This organizational structure was essential for his mature career, enabling him to integrate the arts of architecture, painting, and sculpture into the overwhelming, theatrical environments that defined his Baroque style.412