Francesco Borromini (1599-1667)

Francesco Borromini was a 17th Century Italian architect, who helped develop Roman Baroque. Moreover, his personal style is extravagant and dramatic, which is the epitome of Baroque Style.

Francesco Borromini Portrait: He is depicted in a brown-outfit, with shoulder-length hair and a curly mustache. Moreover, the piece appears to be quite old.
Francesco Borromini Portrait

Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_#/media/File:.jpg

About His Life

Francesco Castelli, or Borromini, was born on September 25, 1599, in Bissone on Lake Lugano. He was a distant relative of the great architect Carlo Maderno. At a young age, Borromini studied bricklayer crafting in Milan, after which he left for Rome. There, the chief architect of St. Peter’s Basilica offered him a job in the church of San Andrea della Valle, which is where he worked from 1621 to 1623. During his work in Rome, Francesco was an average master, while  Gian Lorenzo Bernini grew his reputation as a virtuous sculptor. Thus, a rivalry developed between the two masters. Then, in the early 1630s, the situation escalated when he worked under Bernini’s direction in St. Peter’s Basilica and Palazzo Barberini. In addition, the rivalry ultimately led to the tragic death of Borromini.

Borromini on the 7th series 100 francs note.
Borromini on the 7th series 100 francs note

Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesco_i#/media/File:CHF100_7_front_horizontal.jpg 

His Major Works

  • San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (1638-1646): A small church in Rome built to fit in a cramped and difficult site. Additionally, the church has an unusual and somewhat irregular floor plan in the shape of a Greek cross defined by convex curves.
San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, Francesco Borromini, 1638-1646, Roma.
San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane (1638-1646) by Francesco Borromini

Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/5a2f4328-d1a1-46a9-95f6-195694c03aa5 by Carlo Raso

  • Oratorio dei Filippini or Oratory of Saint Phillip Neri (1637-1650): Adjacent to the Chiesa Nuova and has a striking facade and a complex rhythm of pilasters.
  • Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza (1642-1660): Reflects unique architectural motifs that distinguish Borromini from his contemporaries, especially the helicoidal form of the lantern on top of the dome.
Church of Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza in Rome, Italy.
Church of Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza in Rome, Italy

Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/f11a3bac-9efc-4b4d-bb3b-cf7d6ad1378f by euthman

  • Sant’Agnese in Agone (1652-1657): Where he reverted the original plan of Girolamo Rainaldi and expanded the facade to include parts of the bordering Palazzo Pamphilj
Photo of Sant' Agnese in Agone.
Sant’Agnese in Agone (1652-1657)

Image source:https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/e1c0c9f6-ee3b-4c68-a9ad-7ec32bac9f25 by dor.szko

Features of His Style

Borromini worked in the 17th century, immersed in Baroque. He studied Michelangelo‘s masterpieces and greatly appreciated the use of dynamic forms in his works. Moreover, Borromini created overlapping ovals, triangles, and squares in his building plans. Also, he used classic (Ancient Greece and Rome) architectural elements, which were popular already during the Renaissance, but gave them new interpretations. Further, His architecture are described as innovative, characterized by curved lines and combined geometric shapes.

San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane Church (1638-1640) in Rome - Architect Francesco Borromini (Bissone 1599-Rome 1667).
San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane Church (1638-1640) by Francesco Borromini

Image source: https://search.creativecommons.org/photos/d38ba636-cbc0-4698-89cd-5e4913f18a96 by Carlo Raso


Info sources:

http://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/architecture-biographies/francesco-

https://www.britannica.com/topic/San-Carlo-alle-Quattro-Fontane

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Francesco_Borromini

http://study.com/academy/lesson/francesco-borromini-architecture-works.html

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