Gianlorenzo Bernini was the greatest sculptor and architect of the 17th C. in Italy.
In addition to many major sculpture commissions, he was made chief architect of St. Peters on the election of Pope Urban VIII,
and remained so throughout many Papacies, till the end of his life.

The angels on the Ponte S. Angelo were designed by Bernini between 1667-71, though all except the two shown in this image and the next,
were sculpted by his assistants. This Angel with the Crown of Thorns is a copy of the original by Bernini, now in the church of
St. Andrea della Fratte in Rome.
The original, more finely finished and highly polished, was given to the church for safe-keeping, along with the Angel with the Superscription,
by the family of Bernini in 1729, about 50 years after Bernini's death.

The Crown of Thorns is difficult to see in this image, due to the deep shadows,
but the shadow of the crown can be seen next to the Angel's right hand.

In the background, can be seen the dome of St. Peters.