Dome

Close view of the semicircular porch, right side; Cortona had more opportunity to work as an architect under Pope Alexander VII, and in his façade (1656-1659) for the 15th-century church of S Maria della Pace, Rome, and the replanning of its piazza, he realized one of the most impressive works of the Roman Baroque. This project ingeniously incorporates ideas analogous to his theatre-like designs. The patron, Alexander VII, had the piazza in front of the church enlarged to a regular trapezoidal area to permit him to arrive in his carriage in front of the church, which contained his redesigned family chapel, the Chigi Chapel. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 12/27/2007)