The buildings name is Palazzo Farnese. It is said that it is one of Rome's greatest renaissance building. It is owned by the Italian state. Then it was given to the French government in 1936 for a period of 99 years. The Palazzo Farnese got started building in 1514. It was designed by three different people. It was started by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, then continued by Michelangelo and finally finished by Giacomo della Porta. The building is a pentagon with a circle courtyard inside of it.Located at the top of a small town called Caparola.
The Palazzo was first built for Farnese family in 1517, for when Alessandro senior was a cardinal they lived a noble lifestyle. When Alessandro Farnese senior was canonized Pope Paul III in 1535 the House grew in size. When he became Pope he hired Michelangelo and redid the size and the courtyard. The architecture was designed to express the power of the Farnese family. The Farnese household had tons of famous paintings created by its designers.
Cardinal Alessandro Farnese Junior decided to finish the building started by his grandfather. When he did this the papal was a dangerous place for cardinals. They were suspected to be Lutherans going against the pope. His cousin was arrested at the same time for helping the pope’s enemies. But with all of this going on danger he decided to go on with what he wanted and finished the palazzo.
One famous painting inside the palace is The Loves of the Gods by the Bolognese artist Annibale Carracci. This painting covers the whole ceiling of the west wing of the Palazzo Farnese. It was started in 1597 and was not finished until 1608 with the help of his brother and a few other people. The theme was mythological themes set within painted frames. This idea they believe came from the hercules statue that was already placed in the palace. That is only one of the Farnese famous collections.
Today the building is still in Rome. It is now known as the French embassy. You can call and schedule a tour of the building for a certain amount of money. They have tours at Monday and Friday at five and Wednesday at three and four. The paintings from the house are on display in museums.
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