Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What design did Francesco Borromini create for the Re Magi chapel at the Collegio di Propaganda Fide?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Francesco Borromini
Piazza Navona, Rome, with the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, designed by Francesco Borromini, and (foreground) the Fountain of the Moor, originally designed by Giacomo della Porta and revised by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
For the Re Magi chapel at the Collegio di Propaganda Fide, Francesco Borromini developed a design characterized by the replacement of the traditional enclosing wall with an extensively penetrated framework. This approach reflected his broader architectural philosophy, in which he moved away from solid boundaries to create space that felt molded and corporeal, rather than merely a void.1
His work on the chapel is noted as an example of his inventive approach to domes and vaults, showcasing his technical virtuosity and his ability to experiment with structural elements to achieve dynamic spatial effects.2