Detail View: Archivision Base to Module 9: Lateran Basilica: Nave
|
Preferred Title:
|
Lateran Basilica: Nave
|
|
Alternate Title:
|
Saint John Lateran: Nave
|
|
Image View:
|
Entrance wall looking up showing double Corinthian columns supporting an arched pediment
|
|
Creator:
|
Francesco Borromini (Italian architect, 1599-1667)
|
|
Location:
|
site: Lateran Basilica (Rome, Lazio, Italy)
|
|
Date:
|
1646-1650 (alteration)
|
|
Cultural Context:
|
Italian
|
|
Style Period:
|
Baroque
|
|
Work Type 1:
|
nave
|
|
Classification:
|
architecture
|
|
Material:
|
stone; stucco
|
|
Technique:
|
construction (assembling)
|
|
Relation Work:
|
part of Lateran Basilica
|
|
Subjects:
|
New Testament; rulers and leaders; saints; interior
|
|
Description:
|
Borromini's largest commission came in 1644, when Innocent X entrusted him with the renovation of S Giovanni in Laterano. The Pope wanted to restore the venerable but decrepit church of the Bishop of Rome for the Holy Year of 1650. Borromini was obliged to retain the historic fabric of the nave as far as possible, cladding the old walls, which in places were leaning at a dangerous angle. The transepts, which had already been restored for the Holy Year of 1600, and the choir remained untouched, but the side aisles had to be completely reconstructed. The lower level features wide arches alternating with narrow segments of wall holding aedicule niches for the monumental statues of the Apostles. The surfaces above the niches are decorated with stucco reliefs of Old Testament and New Testament scenes attributed to the school of Alessandro Algardi. The strongest touch of colour is provided by the dark green marble columns of the aediculae...The columns are spolia recovered from the recently demolished side aisles.
|
|
Collection:
|
Archivision Base Collection
|
|
Identifier:
|
1A1-BF-SG-1-E3
|
|
Rights:
|
© Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc.
|