A COMPARISON OF THREE GENIUSES: CARAVAGGIO, BERNINI & BORROMINI
Painting, architecture and sculpture: three different artistic genres at the service of the Catholic Church to surprise and enchant viewers. The paintings of Caravaggio, the architecture of Borromini, and Bernini's sculpture: the comparison and contrast of three artistic geniuses to understand how why Baroque Art still arouses strong feelings.
Sites Visited
Duration 3 hours
Coffe break Caffè S. Eustachio
1. PIAZZA NAVONA
2. S. IVO ALLA SAPIENZA
3. S. EUSTACHIO
4. S. LUIGI DEI FRANCESI
5. S. AGOSTINO
6. S. MARIA DEL POPOLO
Info Tour
Piazza Navona
S. Ivo alla Sapienza
S. Eustachio
S. Luigi dei Francesi
S. Agostino
S. Maria del Popolo
Tour
ST. YVES AT LA SAPIENZA
Once at the Complex of St. Yves, the ancient seat of Rome’s La Sapienza University, we'll retrace the exceptional career of Borromini, the brilliant Baroque architect. For its artistic, technical and symbolic values​​, the building is considered a masterpiece of the architect, of the Baroque, and of the history of architecture. The dome topped by a lantern with a swirling spiral shape echoes the Lighthouse of Alexandria, and therefore the Church’s role for the believers.
ST. EUSTACHIO SQUARE
In the lovely square of St. Eustachio is the church dedicated to the martyr Eustachio, built in the eighth century.
The square offers a wonderful glimpse of the lantern of St. Yves at La Sapienza by Borromini as well as the opportunity to taste a great coffee in the historic coffee shop founded in 1938.
ST. LOUIS OF THE FRENCH
St. Louis of the French is the national church of France in Rome. The church's most famous item is the cycle of paintings in the Contarelli Chapel, painted by Caravaggio in 1599-1600 about the life of St. Matthew. This includes the three world-renowned canvases of The Calling of St Matthew, The Inspiration of Saint Matthew, and The Martyrdom of Saint Matthew. In his paintings Caravaggio combines a realistic observation of the human state, both physical and emotional, with a dramatic use of lighting and chiaroscuro which came to be known as tenebrism.
ST. AUGUSTINE
St. Augustine is one of the first Roman churches built during the Renaissance. The most famous work of art presently in the church is The Pilgrim's Madonna, an important painting by Caravaggio. It depicts the apparition of the barefoot virgin and naked child to two peasants on a pilgrimage. The scene is a moment where everyday common man encounters the divine, whose appearance is also not unlike that of any Roman mother and child. Caravaggio generated considerable clamor with this painting because he used his lover, a known prostitute, as a model for the Madonna.
BASILICA OF S. MARIA DEL POPOLO
The Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo is an Augustinian church which stands on the north side of Piazza del Popolo, one of the most famous squares in the city. The church is hemmed in between Porta del Popolo (the ancient Porta Flaminia) and the Pincio hill. The church contains works by several famous artists, such as Raphael, Bernini, and Caravaggio. The Cerasi Chapel in particular houses two magnificent paintings by Caravaggio characterized by a strong religious feeling: Crucifixion of St. Peter and Conversion of St. Paul.
