History of World Art II: Day 45 - Francesco Borromini

Francesco Borromini (1599 – 1667) was an architect from Ticino, the southernmost canton (one of 26 states) of Switzerland, and the only Swiss canton where Italian is the official language. Borromino was one of the leading figures in the emergence of Roman Baroque architecture. He developed new and innovative facades and domes which flowed dynamically, the curves and details making the surface seem to undulate; he played with convex and concave elements to create a unique, new, decorative style not seen before. He developed this inventive style by manipulating Classical architectural forms. He had a sound understanding of structure and architectural forms unlike his contemporaries and colleagues, Bernini and Cortona, who later became his rivals

He did not take to the life of pursuing commissions well, and had melancholic bouts and a quick temper which made him withdraw from various jobs. These temperaments constrained his career and he ended his own life in 1667.

Due to the fact that his work was idiosyncratic and that he came under fire by later critics of the Baroque period, his influence did not spread widely, but influences can be seen in the work of his contemporaries. Towards the end of the 19th century there was renewed interest in his work and his work is now appreciated for its inventiveness.