CHAPEL OF SAINT IVOBorromini car-
ried the unification of interior space even further
in the Chapel of Saint Ivo (FIG. 24-12) in the
courtyard of the College of the Sapienza (Wis-
dom) in Rome. In his characteristic manner,
Borromini played concave against convex forms
on the upper level of this chapel’s exterior. The
lower stories of the court, which frame the bot-
tom facade, had already been constructed when
Borromini began work. Above the facade’s in-
ward curve—its design adjusted to the earlier ar-
cades of the court—rises a convex drumlike
structure that supports the dome’s lower parts.
24-12Francesco Borromini,Chapel of Saint Ivo, College of the
Sapienza, Rome, Italy, begun 1642.
In characteristic fashion, Borromini played concave against convex
forms on the upper level of the Roman Chapel of Saint Ivo. Pilasters
restrain the forces that seem to push the bulging forms outward.
24-13Francesco Borromini,plan of the Chapel of Saint Ivo,
College of the Sapienza, Rome, Italy, begun 1642.
The interior elevation fully reflects all the elements of the highly
complex plan of Borromini’s chapel in the College of the Sapienza,
which is star-shaped with rounded points and apses on all sides.N
0 10 20 30 feet
0 5 10 metersDome DomeDomeLantern24-14Francesco Borromini,Chapel of
Saint Ivo (view into dome), College of the Sapienza,
Rome, Italy, begun 1642.
Unlike Renaissance domes, Borromini’s Saint Ivo
dome is an organic part that evolves out of and
shares the qualities of the supporting walls, and
it cannot be separated from them.
656 Chapter 24 ITALY AND SPAIN, 1600 TO 1700