Rivalry in Rome: Bernini vs. Borromini
I don't think there is a better place to see the contrast between these two rivals. Borromini was much more popular at the time and received more commissions by far. Bernini evolved from Borromini’s apprentice to his arch-rival.
The Lantern of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane
The Borromini Church, San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, was commissioned by the Trinitarians in 1638 and built to complement the tiny site at the Quattro Fontane crossroad. Borromini totally eschewed ornate gilding, intricate cornices and other frills. For me, its beauty lies in its lines. A clean white space, its interest lies in the series of shapes and patterns. For example, as you look up into the dome, your gaze passes through a series of apertures, each one an evolution and a variation the last. The tiny lantern serves to make the church seem higher than it actually is. The coffering in the vestry is wonderful and beyond my ability to describe.
Sant'Andrea al Quirinale
In contrast, Bernini's Sant'Andrea Alle Quirinale is lavished with the gilding, pediments, and other details for which he was known. A stucco effigy of Saint Andrew ascends into the lantern where heavenly cherubs await.
The two churches are only a few hundred yards apart, so the Quirinale as a great to see first hand the rivalry between two contemporary but totally contrasting styles.
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