ROSSI, Giovan Antonio de'

The Palazzo Altieri in the Piazza del Gesù was the home of the Altieri, one of the prominent families in Rome claiming to be descended from Roman nobility, and included Pope Clement X (reigned 1670-1676). When Giambattista Altieri was elevated to cardinal by Pope Urban VIII, he decided his existing house was not impressive enough; not befitting his new title so in 1650 he commissioned Giovan Antonio de’ Rossi to begin renovations at the site.

The palazzo is De’ Rossi’s most extensive work. The new parts continue the earlier scheme but remain architecturally unobtrusive, so that the older palace stands out unimpaired as the principal building

The Palazzo Altieri in the Piazza del Gesù was the home of the Altieri, one of the prominent families in Rome claiming to be descended from Roman nobility, and included Pope Clement X (reigned 1670-1676). When Giambattista Altieri was elevated to cardinal by Pope Urban VIII, he decided his existing house was not impressive enough; not befitting his new title so in 1650 he commissioned Giovan Antonio de’ Rossi to begin renovations at the site.

The palazzo is De’ Rossi’s most extensive work. The new parts continue the earlier scheme but remain architecturally unobtrusive, so that the older palace stands out unimpaired as the principal building

The Palazzo Bonaparte (now Palazzo Misciatelli) stands at the end of the Via del Corso nearest Piazza Venezia. It was built by Giovan Antonio de’ Rossi and belonged successively to the D’Aste, the Rinuccini, the Misciattelli, and finally to the mother of Napoleon I, Maria Letizia Ramorino Bonaparte, who lived here until her death in 1836 during her exile from France after the fall of her son.

This palace is the most accomplished example of the architect’s mature manner. Designed as a free-standing block, the palace is essentially a revision of the traditional Roman type.

The three story palace has an elegant architecture with gable windows. It is characterized by a covered balcony on the first floor, one of the few still surviving, called “dice box”, and by a high belvedere where you can read “Bonaparte”.

The Palazzo Bonaparte (now Palazzo Misciatelli) stands at the end of the Via del Corso nearest Piazza Venezia. It was built by Giovan Antonio de’ Rossi and belonged successively to the D’Aste, the Rinuccini, the Misciattelli, and finally to the mother of Napoleon I, Maria Letizia Ramorino Bonaparte, who lived here until her death in 1836 during her exile from France after the fall of her son.

This palace is the most accomplished example of the architect’s mature manner. Designed as a free-standing block, the palace is essentially a revision of the traditional Roman type.

The three story palace has an elegant architecture with gable windows. It is characterized by a covered balcony on the first floor, one of the few still surviving, called “dice box”, and by a high belvedere where you can read “Bonaparte”.

The photo shows one of the decorated rooms, the Sala del Mosaico, in the Palazzo Altieri.