Press Release: Governorate of Vatican City State
Presentation of the book
Francesco Borromini 1599-1667. International Conference Proceedings
Vatican City, 30 May 2025 – On Tuesday 3 June 2025, at 17.30, in the Conference Hall of the Vatican Museums, the book Francesco Borromini 1599-1667. International Conference Proceedings edited by Alessandra Rodolfo and Luca Ribichini and published by Edizioni Musei Vaticani, will be presented.
The book is a collection of the proceedings of the conference organized in December 2017 by the Vatican Museums, in collaboration with the San Luca National Academy and the Faculty of Architecture of La Sapienza University of Rome, on the occasion of the 350th anniversary of the death of the great architect.
Highlighting the symbolic value of the initiative is the presence at the event of Giovanna Portoghesi, wife of the late architect Paolo Portoghesi, who conceived and made possible the entire scientific project. Her participation constitutes a heartfelt tribute to a figure who profoundly impacted the critical interpretation of Baroque architecture and of Borromini in particular.
Speakers during the evening will include Barbara Jatta, Director of the Vatican Museums, Joseph Connors, professor emeritus of Harvard University, Marcello Fagiolo, professor emeritus of La Sapienza, and Francesco Cellini, architect and academic of San Luca, as well as the editors of the book.
In her introduction to the book, the Director of the Vatican Museums, Barbara Jatta, wished to recall the profound significance of that moment of shared study:
“It was a pleasure to host at the Vatican Museums an exhibition and the International Study Conference on Francesco Borromini, a project conceived by Paolo Portoghesi to honour the 350th anniversary of the death of the great architect – initiatives that have enhanced our study and sharing activities since my first year as Director”.
Alongside her, curator Alessandra Rodolfo emphasizes the current value of Borromini's thought: “He leaves a living legacy of research and design courage that still challenges architects and
scholars on the meaning of sacred and civil space”.
The book, published by Edizioni Musei Vaticani, consists of 440 pages with 237 black and white and colour illustrations.
This publication is a fundamental tool for studies of Borromini, offering a rich, updated and multidisciplinary picture of the work and legacy of one of the greatest protagonists of seventeenth century architecture.
Accreditation procedure
Journalists and media operators wishing to attend the presentation of the volume must apply, no later than 24 hours before the event, via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system at: press.vatican.va/accreditamenti.
