Borromini

Question 1

Answer 1

San Giovanni in Laterano – General

Date: 313

Architect: Under Constantine

Location: Rome (originally disabitato)

• Located outside of the main city, Christian church would not be accepted in the center of the city yet.
• Typical 5 aisle Constantinian basilican plan with side chapels (really wide)
• Altar/apse moved twice, first to add transept, then add choir
• Ceremonial entrance is the cross axis, through the transept, accessed from the papal way.
• Original structure incorporated into renovation by Borromini
• Attached to “small” palace complex (smaller than original because was out of use after 1450 when the papal seat was relocated)
• High altar canopy in gothic style, 2 tiers, with statues of Peter and Paul behind a screen in top tier.
• Transept built late middle ages, remodeled for jubilee of 1600. Features wooden ceiling inspired by nave ceiling.

Question 2

Answer 2

San Giovanni in Laterano – Façade

Date: 1735

Architect: Alessandro Galilei

Location: Rome (originally disabitato)

• Represents major stylistic shift.
• Logia façade, typical of any place the Pope appears,
• Two tiers, lower entry logia, upper as place for pope to speak, wide façade needed to match 5 aisle plan
• Simple in contrast to his remodeling of the interior.
• Immense statues at the top, can be seen from many points in the city
• Entry vestibule, early classicism, features doors original to the roman senate, added boarder to adjust size (featuring Cigi 6/8 pointed stars).

Question 3

Answer 3

San Giovanni in Laterano – Interior

Date: 1646-50 (statues finished ~1730)

Architect: Borromini (under Pomphili Pope)

Location: Rome (originally disabitato)

• Remodels the nave (adds edicules) and side aisles
• Maintained most of the original masonry (shift form time of st. Peters and church wanted to conserve its history)
• Changed rhythm of existing columns to alternating open/closed rhythm. Existing columns set inside new piers. Windows aligned above arches allow in light, edicules set into and moving out from solid, massive piers. Middle windows, and one above door, different representation creating 3 centers if nave elevation is unfolded.
• Nave concluded in arch (original location of high altar/apse)
• First side aisles arcoaded (vaulted), second set trabiated (rectangular), corners softened by angle statues.
• Monuments and some tombs designed by Borromini after the 1625 Jubilee. Some side chapels designed by others.
• Ceiling and floor left as existing.
• Use of white plaster (his style) but also uses polychrome marble (grey, green, and pink) in edicules in the nave.
• Piers: formed by 2 colossal fluted pilasters, carry piece of entablature (only width of 2 pilasters), on top of which is continuous cornice. 3 tiered: edicule, then plaster relief, then painting in Borromini frame (was supposed to be exposed brick)

Question 4

Answer 4

San Giovanni in Laterano – Baptistery

Date: 440 (5thc)

Architect: Built under Constantine

Location: Rome (originally disabitato)

• Domed octagonal plan, central domes space with offset octagonal ambulatory.
• Original entry 2 steps down, gives view to interior.
• Interior separated by 2 tier column screen, large porphyry columns at bottom, entablature zone, and small “colinettes” at the top.

Question 5

Answer 5

Palazzo Propaganda Fide

Date: 1646 (Borromini Facade)

Architect: Bernini, Borromini

Location: Rome (southern end Piazza di Spagna)

• Bernini: proposed façade but was replaced by Borromini.
• Borromini: longer side façade, curvilinear, and chapel
• Façade: Colossal pilaster order, simple pilaster shafts, fluted capitols. Attic above. Incredible cornice with basket weave pattern with pomegranates.
• Trapezoidal block.
• Chapel: not intended for public. Pilasters with interesting ionic capitols (angles).
• Tripartite composition, 3 bays each side differing scales. Canted corners.
• Ceiling ribbed with crisscross pattern forming lattice work system, slightly gothic/skeletal. Ribs aligned with pilasters.
• Many blind windows to create symmetrical design

Question 6

Answer 6

Sant’Andrea delle Fratte

Date: 1604/1653

Architect: Borromini

Location: Rome

• 1604: construction of the new church began
• 1653: revamped by Borromini (apse, cupola/dome, and tower)
• Nothing on the interior relating to Borromini
• Designed the dome and bell tower, both unfinished.
• Dome: was supposed to be many tiers, like Sant’Ivo, but only lower drum zone was built, and was left on exterior as rough unfinished brickwork. Never intended to see brick, just the structure for the plaster.
• Tower: more finished. Built to its full height. Tiered composition. Upper tier entirely completed; lower tier rough unfinished brickwork. Elaborate top to the tower, featuring symbols of patron.