The architectural transition toward Neoclassicism in 18th-century Rome found a primary agent in Antonio Asprucci, who served as a central figure in the redefinition of interior space and garden design. Born in 1723, he navigated the shift from late Baroque sensibilities to the disciplined aesthetic of the neoclassical movement through his extensive work for the Borghese family.
Professional Formation and Early Projects
Antonio Asprucci began his career under the tutelage of his father, Mario Asprucci il vecchio, before working as an assistant to Nicola Salvi, the architect of the Trevi Fountain. During this period, he supervised the construction of Santa Maria in Gradi in Viterbo in 1737 and contributed to the palace of the Duke of Bracciano on Piazza dei Santi Apostoli. His early portfolio also included the restoration of the monastery of Santa Francesca Romana and construction projects for Santo Stefano in Cacco.
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Appointed architect to Francis, Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1756, Asprucci directed restorations at the Villa Medici between 1757 and 1762. His influence expanded when he became the primary architect for Marcantonio IV Borghese. He oversaw the remodeling of the Palazzo Borghese gallery and executed significant alterations to the casino and grounds of the Villa Borghese. The project served as a display case for the Borghese art collection, with Asprucci managing an interdisciplinary team of artists, masons, and stuccoists to harmonize marble ornaments, painted vaults, and custom furniture with the sculpture collection.
Landscape and Neoclassical Innovations
Throughout the 1780s and 1790s, Asprucci and his son, Mario Asprucci, restructured the Villa Borghese gardens into a grid-based park. They removed 17th-century walls to integrate new structures such as the circular Temple of Diana, the Piazza di Siena chapel, and the Temple of Aesculapius. The latter, situated on a manmade lake with an ionic portico, stands as a notable example of the first English landscape garden design in Rome.
Later Appointments and Administrative Roles
In 1790, Asprucci was elected Principe of the Accademia di San Luca, where he held the presidency until 1792. During this tenure, he oversaw the remodeling of the Academy's seat. His civic career included roles as Sotto Maestro delle Strade for the Trevi area in 1795 and the Campo Marzio region in 1796. He continued his design work, notably producing the high altar for San Salvatore in Lauro in 1792, before his death in Rome in 1808.
Fast facts
- Born: 1723, Rome
- Died: 1808, Rome
- Profession: Architect
- Major Patron: Marcantonio IV Borghese
- Academy of San Luca Presidency: 1790-1792
- Notable Son: Mario Asprucci (1764-1804)
Questions readers ask
What was Asprucci's main contribution to the Villa Borghese?
He transformed the casino and gardens into a major Neoclassical exhibition space for art while introducing the English landscape garden style to the estate.
Did Antonio Asprucci work alone on his major projects?
No, he frequently worked with his son Mario Asprucci, particularly on the garden designs at Villa Borghese in the 1780s and 1790s.
