Palazzo Farnese, is a beautiful palace in Rome, work on building it started in 1514 by Antonio Sangallo, continued by Michelangelo and completed by Giacomo della Porta. Considered one of the wonders of Rome, its sheer size has earned it the nickname "the die". Ownership of the Palazzo Farnese changed repeatedly over the years. In the 18th century, the palazoo became the property of the Bourbon Kings of Naples and was renamed "Palazzo Regio Farnese". In 1911 it was purchased by France and then sold to Italy, which in return rented it back to French under 99-year lease, since 1874 it has been the headquarters to the French Embassy.
It all started when Cardinal Alessandro Farnese (the future Pope Paul III) purchased and then demolished the original buildings on the site to create the piazza and his own magnificent residence. Design of the project was awarded to Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, work began in 1514, butwhen the original architect died in 1546, Michelangelo was called in . He designed the first two floors, build the third, and adorned the facade with a central balcony. He also planned to build a bridge that would span the Tiber and connect the rear of the palazzo to the Villa Chigi- also called the "Farnesina"(the little Farnese)- on the opposite bank, but because of the death of Pope Paul III, the project was never completed.
The Palace has three floors, which find clear expression on the superb, linear facade. The austere brick ornamentation is variously shaded (due to different banking temperatures), this coloring having been revealed during a recent restoration. It is unclear why such dissimilar bricks were used, was this multicolored brick layer intended to be visible, when considers other Roman palazzos of the same period, it more credible to believe different color ultimately meant to be hidden with plaster.
Source: A Companion to Roman Architecture, edited by Ulrich and Quenemoen.
http://metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/360507
http://metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/360507
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