Peter Verpoorten

Peter Verpoorten (also known as Pietro Della Porta, Pietro or Peter La Porta, and Pietro or Peter Varportel) (early 17th century – 1659) was a Flemish sculptor. He was a bronze specialist and a collaborator of Gian Lorenzo Bernini. In 1658 he was named the latter's assistant. He then moved to Rome, probably around 1656. In fact, in October 1658 a payment to "monsù Pietro Verpetren" (his name was often misspelled) "a bon conto delle cose che fa per servitio della Medaglia con il ritratto di N.S.r Ales.ro 7" was issued. His best known work in collaboration with Bernini is the eternal lamp of the Chigi Chapel in the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo. This bronze sanctuary lamp (which forms a gilded crown hanging on chains, decorated with the eight-pointed stars of the Chigi and supported by three flying cherubs) was modeled by Verpoorten for Bernini.

However, both Verpoorten's collaboration with Bernini and his own career were short, as he died in Rome in 1659.