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Lateran Basilica: Aisles and Tombs

Alexander VII, Pope (Italian patron, 1599-1667); Francesco Borromini (Italian architect, 1599-1667)
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Alternative Title
Saint John Lateran: Aisles and Tombs
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.3/119019
Date
1646-1649
Description
Tomb of Cardinal Gerardo Bianchi of Parma (d.1302), close-up of architectural treatment; Borromini's final contribution to the decoration of the Lateran Basilica were the tombs in the side aisles commissioned by Alexander VII. They are a fanciful combination of medieval fragments and Baroque frames; mainly owing to the skilful handling of illusionistic perspectives these hybrid creations offer a spectacle of opposing forces crowded within the narrowest space. Alexander condemned them as being 'too Gothic'. This was not intended as a comment on their style but rather implied that the innovative combination of classical elements produced an uncanonical ensemble alien to the conservative Pope. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 12/10/2007)
Type of Work
monument; tomb
Subject
death or burial, rulers and leaders, Alexander VII, Pope, 1599-1667, Baroque
Rights
© Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc.
Rights Statement
Licensed for educational and research use by the MIT community only
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