The confessio of Santa Francesca Romana is the confessio, the enclosed area below the altar, of the Basilica of Santa Francesca Romana in Rome.
It was built between 1638 and 1649 to a design by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, including a bronze sculptural group of St Frances and the angel. Bernini's sculpture was taken during the French occupation in 1798 and is now lost.
The current marble sculpture was created in 1866 by Giosuè Meli.
Description The confessio is flanked by two tiers of steps. The curvilinear marble balustrade is decorated with marble drums. In the center of the balustrade is a two-door bronze gate decorated with leaf volutes and polychrome enamel roundels."altare di Bernini""balaustrata di Bernini"
Inside the confessio is the sculptural group depicting St Frances and the angel, behind four columns of Sicilian red jasper."altare di Bernini"
St Frances and the angel
Bernini's sculptural group of St Frances and the angel was taken during the French occupation in 1798 and is now lost."S. Francesca Romana e l' Angelo"
The current marble sculpture was created in 1866 by the Bergamo sculptor Giosuè Meli in the Neoclassical style."S. Francesca Romana e l' Angelo" Meli sculpted extensive detail on the angel's robes.
History The confessio was built between 1638 and 1649 to a design by Gian Lorenzo Bernini."altare di Bernini"
During the French occupation in 1798, Bernini's sculptural group of St Frances and the angel was taken and is now lost."S. Francesca Romana e l' Angelo"
In 1866, the confessio was restored by the Oblate Maria Gertrude Pallavicini. Giosuè Meli created a marble sculpture to replace the lost Bernini one."altare di Bernini"
Gallery
See also List of works by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
References Notes
Bibliography
External links