Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini was an Italian sculptor and architect who lived from 1598 to 1680. He was a leading figure in the Baroque style of art and is best known for his work in sculpture, particularly his dramatic and dynamic representations of human figures. Bernini also made significant contributions to the field of architecture, designing buildings and creating elaborate fountains and public spaces in Rome. His work had a profound influence on the development of Baroque art and continues to be celebrated for its emotional intensity and technical virtuosity.