Francesco Borromini (1599-1667), the protagonist of Roman Baroque architecture who still exercises a deep influence on contemporary architects, is at the center of a series of initiatives this month to commemorate the 350th anniversary of his death.
An international congress and an exhibit showcasing his
drawings and projects will kick off on December 11.
Other initiatives aimed at highlighting the different aspects
of Borromini's architecture and its impact on the Eternal City
will include guided tours and lessons in the churches and
buildings, a photography competition and a mass at Sant'Ivo alla
Sapienza.
The events have been organized thanks to the cooperation
between institutions including the Vatican Museums, the
Accademia San Luca, the architecture department of La Sapienza
University, the MAXXI Museum of Arts of the 21st century and the
Academy of Fine Arts in Rome.
Presenting the upcoming events, Vatican Museums Director
Barbara Jatta said Borromini is a "key figure of 17th-century
architecture, able to inspire throughout the centuries
generations of architects".
Leading Borromini expert, architect Paolo Portoghesi spoke
about the genius' fortunes and misfortunes, including his death
by suicide on August 3, 1667, after almost a day of agony.
The architect, Portoghesi said, often felt that his work was
not understood and mischaracterized, starting with Pope
Alexander VII who considered him a "Gothic architect" and
favored his archrival Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Borromini, who was born in Canton Ticino and was one of the
most important architects in Rome for four decades, working
alongside Carlo Maderno and Bernini, ultimately decided to take
his life because he could not bear the prospect of not working
anymore.
Portoghesi noted how only in the 18th century Borromini was
once again appreciated.
The rise of Neoclassicism again cast a shade on his work as
he was accused of "being the great corruptor of classicism with
his capricious inventions", said Portoghesi.
However, at the end of the 19th century Borromini's
architecture once again inspired new projects.
In particular, the restlessness infused in each project by
Borromini was key for leading contemporary architects such as
Frank O. Gery and Zaha Hadid, according to Portoghesi.
The international congress 'Francesco Borromini 1599-1667'
will be held on December 11 at the Accademia San Luca, on the
12th at the Vatican Museums and on the 13th at the La Sapienza
University.
The show 'Francesco Borromini. I disegni della Biblioteca
Vaticana' (Francesco Borromini. The drawings of the Vatican
library) will be inaugurated on December 12 at the Vatican
Museums.
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