Monument to Matilda of Canossa: Overall view

The funeral monument of Countess Matilda di Canossa, Pope Gregory VII's great champion against the Emperor Henry VI. The monument was conceived by Bernini who began it in 1633, commissioned by Urban VIII. The head of Matilda is by Andrea Bolgi (1605-1656), the rest of the figure by Luigi Bernini. The central bas-relief which shows Henry IV kneeling before Gregory VII on 28 January 1077 after waiting or three days and three nights to be received, is the work of Stefano Speranza. The two cherubs supporting the inscription are by Andrea Bolgi (on the right) and Luigi Bernini, the brother of Gian Lorenzo (on the left).