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The Science Behind Francesco Borromini’s Divine Geometry

In: Architecture and Mathematics from Antiquity to the Future

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  • John G. Hatch

    (The University of Western Ontario, Department of Visual Arts)

Abstract

The buildings of Francesco Borromini (1599–1667) rarely follow the accepted design standards of the time and their meaning eludes traditional readings. His eclecticism result from both the unique personality of the man himself, and the fact that many of his sources of inspiration were far from traditional. One such source is the astronomer Johannes Kepler (1571–1603) best known for his three planetary laws of motion. Kepler’s methodology and interpretation of the universe appealed to Borromini on many levels, the most important being Kepler’s belief in the divine geometry ruling the structure of the universe and his manner of interpreting it. Borromini’s churches of S. Carlo alle Quattro Fontane and S. Ivo della Sapienza involve rather novel and complex geometric designs that are both the starting and endpoint in understanding these buildings. The debt to Kepler is further confirmed by Borromini’s adoption of the astronomer’s rather unique Trinitarian interpretation of the cosmos.

Suggested Citation

  • John G. Hatch, 2015. "The Science Behind Francesco Borromini’s Divine Geometry," Springer Books, in: Kim Williams & Michael J. Ostwald (ed.), Architecture and Mathematics from Antiquity to the Future, edition 127, chapter 0, pages 217-229, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-319-00143-2_14
    DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-00143-2_14
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