The architect of the Fountain of Four Rivers, Gianlorenzo Bernini, had had great success under his patron, Urban VIII Barberini.  Urban VIII, a great patron of the arts, faced much criticism for depleting the papal treasury in order to commission expensive pieces of art. By the end of his reign, Urban VIII had become extremely unpopular. So when he died in 1644, Bernini, Urban VIII’s favorite artist, was left extremely vulnerable. In addition, Bernini had a failure at St. Peter’s where he had been commissioned earlier to design and build two great bell towers. Even though he had the foundations checked prior to construction, as the massive bell towers were being erected large cracks started to appear because of the weight of the structures. Construction was halted and the bell towers were then torn down completely because of the damage.

 

This, in addition to his close relationship with the Barberini family, left Bernini in a state of public disgrace. Urban VIII’s successor, Innocent X Pamphilj, bore a great grudge against Urban VIII and the Barberini for leaving the papal treasury so depleted. He extended this grudge to include Urban VIII’s favorite architect, Bernini. Because of this, Innocent X chose as his favorite another prominent baroque architect of the time and Bernini’s rival, Francesco Borromini.

 

Borromini received some important commissions under Innocent X. He was appointed to design the Palazzo Pamphilj in the Piazza Navona, which is now used as the Brazilian Embassy. Later he was also commissioned to redo the small Church of Sant’ Agnese, also in Piazza Navona, which was adopted to be the Pamphilj private family chapel. In order to glorify the piazza where his family palace and chapel stood, Innocent X decided to commission a monumental fountain to stand in the middle of it. He wanted a design that would incorporate an obelisk that was found broken along the Appian Way near the Circus Maxentius. Borromini had already been commissioned to engineer the water conduit that would direct water needed to the Piazza Navona. So even though Innocent X held a design competition for the fountain, it was assumed that Borromini would receive the commission. Bernini, on the other hand, was not even invited to submit a design.

 

How Bernini actually won the commission is unclear, however one account credits Nicoló Ludovisi as the engineer behind it. A close friend of Bernini’s, Ludovisi had just recently married pope Innocent X’s niece, Donna Costanza Pamphilj. According to the account, Ludovisi asked Bernini to make a model of a fountain (and since Bernini was currently architect of Ludovisi’s own palazzo, he wouldn’t have wanted to disappoint his powerful patron). Bernini made a silver model of the fountain that was placed by Ludovisi in a room through which the pope would have to pass. Because most models were done in clay or wax, Bernini’s silver model captured the attention of Innocent X. It was said that Innocent, upon seeing the model, was absolutely mesmerized and couldn’t help but stare at it for half an hour. Even though Innocent X recognized Ludovisi’s trick and the model as Bernini’s, he said, “It will be necessary to make use of Bernini despite those who do not wish it, since those who do not want his works need not look at them.” But because Innocent X had already seen the model, he was already awestruck by it and had no choice but to use it. After this it is said that Innocent X immediately sent for Bernini, offering the commission to make the fountain, which was accepted on July 10, 1648.

 

The structure itself creates an illusion of instability. Not only is the towering obelisk entirely free standing, but also the base is cut through completely on both axes. Bernini received much criticism and people doubted its stability, especially because of his previous failure at St. Peter’s. In retaliation, Bernini approached the monument and, amidst the large crowd that had gathered, proceeded to inspect the structure and then tied four pieces of twine to the tip of the obelisk and attached them to the surrounding buildings. He then stepped back, looked at his work approvingly, and then walked away, leaving the spectators astonished. Despite the doubts of his critics, Bernini’s fountain has remained completely stable and hasn’t moved an inch since its erection.

 

Borromini, meanwhile, was extremely upset, not only because his rival had regained papal favor at his expense, but also because it was his idea originally to have a fountain with an obelisk and four rivers represented around the base.