San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane

San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane church (1638-41) in Rome, designed by Francesco Borromini (1599-1677) is a jewel of Baroque architecture.

Related Topics:
Rome - Francesco Borromini - Baroque

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The tight geometric complexity of interlocking ovals and circles creates spaciousness in the small corner church, which stands a stone's throw from the Palazzo Barberini (windows designed by Borromini) and piazza. It is also down the street from rival Gian Lorenzo Bernini's oval Sant'Andrea al Quirinale. The concave convex facade undulates. Tall corinthian columns interrupt entablatures. The use of winged hemi-cherubim to frame niches of statues, the main one of San Carlo Borromeo by Antonio Raggi. On the sides are statues of St. John of Matha and St. Felix of Valois, the founders of the Trinitarian Order. Bernini uses these idiosyncratic details, which was characteristic of Borromini. The corner fountain is a depiction of recumbent neptune. The dome of the church has a complex patterns of coffers of crosses, ovals, and hexagons.

Related Topics:
Palazzo Barberini - Gian Lorenzo Bernini - Sant'Andrea al Quirinale - San Carlo Borromeo - Antonio Raggi

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The church was commisioned by Spanish Trinitarian order of monks ("Discalced", or "shoeless"), an order dedicated to the freeing Christian slaves. "Quattro Fontane" refers to the four corner fountains at the corners at intersection where the church stands. Two River gods and two goddesses (Juno and Diana): the reclining male figure with the tree is Arno River, and the recumbant male with reeds (no tree) is the Tiber.

Related Topics:
Arno River - Tiber

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Also see S. Maria del Prato, a contemporary copy of the interior.

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