064.

Palazzo Odescalchi

This is a companion print to that of Palazzo Colonna, Plate 63, showing the Piazza SS. Apostoli viewed from the opposite end. The shadowed facade of Palazzo Colonna (1) is shown summarily on the left, with light coming out of its two portals. However in Vasi's print the latter do not line up on the two approach streets as shown on the Nolli map, indicating that Vasi has sacrificed some topographic accuracy so as to give an exaggerated extended view of the Palazzo Odescalchi. Built for the Chigi family by Bernini in the 1660s, the facade with giant order pilasters had only seven bays (three on each side of the central portal bay). When the palace was bought by the Odescalchi in 1746, this facade was extended northward (right on this print) by Salvi, more than doubling its length to 15 bays, with the addition of a second entrance portal. The direction of the carriages in Vasi's print seem to indicate that each portal was intended to be one-way. Separating Palazzo Odescalchi from Palazzo Ruffi (5) is the Vicolo del Piombo, not visible in the Vasi view, which Nolli shows with an arch connecting the two palazzi. At the far end of the piazza is the late 16th century Palazzo Bonelli (2), behind which we see the top of the Column of Trajan (3) and the dome of S. Maria di Loreto (4) which are featured in Plate 38.