Cosimo Morelli (1732 – February 26, 1812) was an Italian architect, active throughout the

Papal States The Papal States ( ; it, Stato Pontificio, ), officially the State of the Church ( it, Stato della Chiesa, ; la, Status Ecclesiasticus;), were a series of territories in the Italian Peninsula under the direct sovereign rule of the pope fro ...

in a Neoclassic style.

Biography

He was born at

Imola Imola (; rgn, Jômla or ) is a city and ''comune'' in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, located on the river Santerno, in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. The city is traditionally considered the western entrance to the historical ...

. His father, also an architect, studied under Giovanni Domenico Trifogli, who was considered to be one of the Comacini, whose works were much appreciated in northern Italy. Cosimo is said to have studied geometry under Vincenzo Savini. Boni says of that Morelli was of a ''vast genius, and enterprising, he advanced rapidly in his new career; firm of character, pleasant tract, witty expression, he obtained the affection and esteem of many illustrious person''. Morelli was the most prolific architect during the

Pontifical States The Papal States ( ; it, Stato Pontificio, ), officially the State of the Church ( it, Stato della Chiesa, ; la, Status Ecclesiasticus;), were a series of territories in the Italian Peninsula under the direct Sovereignty, sovereign rule of t ...

of the mid-18th century. He was knighted by Pius IX.F. Boni. thanks mostly to his relationship with the ''Roman''

curia Curia (Latin plural curiae) in ancient Rome referred to one of the original groupings of the citizenry, eventually numbering 30, and later every Roman citizen was presumed to belong to one. While they originally likely had wider powers, they came ...

and his ability to interpret and develop the tastes of his epoch. Under the tutelage of Pope Pius VII, Morelli build, renovated, and amplified numerous civic and religious buildings. His fame, beyond his talent, was partly due to employing a “team” of artisans and

painters Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface (called the "matrix" or "support"). The medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush, but other implements, such as knives, sponges, and ai ...

in his commissions, such as Alessandro Dalla Nave, Antonio Villa and Angelo Gottarelli, among others. He died at Imola in 1812.

Works

*''Chiesa di San Prospero'' in

, finished on September 4, 1836, for

Bishop A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is c ...

Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, who would later become Pope Pius IX, in 1846. *'' Palazzo Braschi'' in

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

, on

Piazza Navona Piazza Navona () is a public open space in Rome, Italy. It is built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, built in the 1st century AD, and follows the form of the open space of the stadium. The ancient Romans went there to watch the '' agones' ...

and Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, built for duke Luigi Braschi Onesti, nephew of

Pius IX Pope Pius IX ( it, Pio IX, ''Pio Nono''; born Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti; 13 May 1792 – 7 February 1878) was head of the Catholic Church from 1846 to 1878, the longest verified papal reign. He was notable for convoking the First Vatican ...

, which used to be a former palazzo for the Orsini family. Today it houses the Museum of Rome. *'' Teatro dell'Aquila'' in

Fermo Fermo (ancient: Firmum Picenum) is a town and ''comune'' of the Marche, Italy, in the Province of Fermo. Fermo is on a hill, the Sabulo, elevation , on a branch from Porto San Giorgio on the Adriatic coast railway. History The oldest hu ...

, in 1780, is renowned for its acoustics. *''Teatro Lauro Rossi'' in

Macerata Macerata () is a city and ''comune'' in central Italy, the county seat of the province of Macerata in the Marche region. It has a population of about 41,564. History The historical city centre is on a hill between the Chienti and Potenza ...

, inaugurated in 1774 and still in use today. Other works include at the Duomo of Imola, Fermo Cathedral, Fossombrone Cathedral, and Macerata Cathedral, the church of Santo Stefano in Imola, of San Francesco in Lugo; helped rebuild the Main parish of Ravenna, and the facade of San Pietro in Bologna; also the theaters of Iesi,

Osimo Osimo is a town and ''comune'' of the Marche region of Italy, in the province of Ancona. The municipality covers a hilly area located approximately south of the port city of Ancona and the Adriatic Sea. , Osimo had a total population of 35,037. ...

Forlì Forlì ( , ; rgn, Furlè ; la, Forum Livii) is a ''comune'' (municipality) and city in Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy, and is the capital of the province of Forlì-Cesena. It is the central city of Romagna. The city is situated along the Via ...

, Ferrara, Tor di Nona in Rome, and others. He helped design the palace of Anguissola in Piacenza, Silvestri in Macerata, and the facade of Palazzo Berio on via Toledo in Naples. He designed the civic hospital of Imola, the seminary of Subiaco, and the triumphal arch erected by San Arcangelo in honor of their fellow native, Clement XIV.

Sources

1732 births 1812 deaths People from Imola 18th-century Italian architects 19th-century Italian architects Italian neoclassical architects Architects from Emilia-Romagna {{Italy-architect-stub