Postcards from Rome

4 Jun

Written By Camilla Eadie

Collected photos taken during the creation of An Elephant in Rome.

1. Bernini was 14 years old when he carved this striking portrait of Antonio Coppola, a rich Florentine surgeon. You can find it in the charming, but little visited Museum of Sacred Art tucked into the attic of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini in Rome.&n… — 1. Bernini was 14 years old when he carved this striking portrait of Antonio Coppola, a rich Florentine surgeon. You can find it in the charming, but little visited Museum of Sacred Art tucked into the attic of San Giovanni dei Fiorentini in Rome.

2. The same church has the grave of Bernini’s greatest rival Francesco Borromini, arguably a greater, certainly a more inventive architect than Bernini, but plagued by mental illness and lacking a courtier’s skills. Borromini committed suicide and i… — 2. The same church has the grave of Bernini’s greatest rival Francesco Borromini, arguably a greater, certainly a more inventive architect than Bernini, but plagued by mental illness and lacking a courtier’s skills. Borromini committed suicide and is now immortalized as the face of the Swiss 100 franc banknote.

3. I haven't yet found a good restaurant near that church. One of my favourite Roman restaurants - La Campana, allegedly in business for over 500 years - is a pleasant 15 minute walk away. They do a first class vegetarian antipasto buffet.

An Elephant in Rome: Bernini, The Pope and The Making of the Eternal City is published July 30th by Pallas Athene

Camilla Eadie

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