Bernini was one of the best sculptures but also was Renaissance man in he pursued many different mediums and interests. During his lifetime he finished the Basilica of St. Peter as well as putting up statues in Rome. His sculpture, David was commissioned by a member if the Borghese family. He completed it within 7 months, which is impressive considering the detail and medium. It parallels the action of a discus thrower statue in motion but does so better. It was representative of Baroque Art in terms of its illusion of reality.
The Ecstasy of St. Teresa is a work combining a multitude of elements in the Cornaro Chapel. There is a central work portraying a St having a vision which puts her in a state of ecstasy. This is illuminated by a hidden window. Also, the figures are made out of a very white stone. On both sides are carvings of balconies with people sitting in them. All of these elements are a part of a coextensive space which connects the spacial area of the depiction to the viewer. This gives the illusion that this work is real and makes the viewer part of the work. Works like these were a sort of counter to Protestantism as they allowed no images in churches. This idea came from the book Spatial Exercises by Ignatius of Loyola. Bernini was known to have practiced these exercises.