A Symposium Honoring Joseph Connors.

This international symposium marks the eightieth birthday of the distinguished architectural historian Joseph Connors and his retirement from active teaching. Currently the Michael C. Duda Visiting Professor at the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture, Connors has shaped the study of Baroque art, architecture, and urbanism – particularly of Borromini and the city of Rome – as a scholar, teacher, and mentor for half a century. In his role as a visionary institutional leader, Connors has fostered innovative work in early modern Italian studies, the wider humanities, and the visual and performing arts.

The symposium gathers European colleagues and former students to celebrate this cherished friend. Presentations will explore issues in the history of art and architecture, their methodologies and historiography, all using Joe’s personal “Opus Architectonicum” as a point of departure.

PROGRAM

Session 1: Celebrating Joseph Connors
Chair: Susan Klaiber (independent, Switzerland)

9:00 – 9:20 Welcome
Silvia Dall’Olio, Director, Notre Dame Rome
David Mayernik, Notre Dame Architecture
Susan Klaiber, co-organizer

9:20 – 9:50 Ingrid D. Rowland (University of Notre Dame)
Laudatio

9:50 – 10:20 Barbara Jatta (Musei Vaticani)
“Lievin Cruyl and the Rome of Alexander VII”

10:20 – 10:30 Discussion

10:30 – 11:00 Coffee

11:00 – 12:30 Session 2: The Rome of Borromini
Chair: Sabina de Cavi (Universidade Nova, Lisboa)

Augusto Roca De Amicis (Università di Roma La Sapienza)
“Rivedendo i Santi Luca e Martina: architettura come sintassi”

Alberto Bianco (Archivio della Congregazione dell'Oratorio di San Filippo Neri)
“Virgilio Spada. Il progetto della Casa dei Filippini e l'identità oratoriana”

Fabio Barry (Warburg Institute)
“St. Teresa in Ecstasy. Sacred or Profane Love?”

12:30 – 12:45 Discussion

12:45 – 14:00 Lunch (independent)

14:00 – 15:30 Session 3: Encounters with Joe and Borromini
Chair: Heather Hyde Minor (University of Notre Dame)

Helen Hills (University of York) [VIA VIDEO]
“Meeting Joe”

Susan Klaiber (independent, Switzerland)
“Borromini and Guarini: Master and Pupil?”

Sabina de Cavi (Universidade Nova, Lisboa)
“‘Borrominismi’ a Lisbona: osservazioni preliminari sull'impatto dell'Opus Architectonicum in Portogallo”

15:30 – 15:45 Discussion

15:45 – 16:15 Break

16:15 – 17:45 Session 4: Oltre Borromini
Chair: Fabio Barry (Warburg Institute)

Elisabeth Kieven (Bibliotheca Hertziana)
“About a Drawing by Carlo Marchionni - Delight and Despair”

Heather Hyde Minor (University of Notre Dame)
“Piranesi's Imaginary Prisons”

Susanna Pasquali (Università di Roma La Sapienza)
“Qualche domanda intorno a un caffè preso nel bar nel Cortile della Biblioteca, Palazzo del Belvedere Vaticano”

17:45 – 18:00 Discussion

18:00 – 19:30 Reception

Attendance is free, but registration required at the link on the symposium webpage: https://rome.nd.edu/events/2025/05/12/opus-architectonicum-a-symposium-honoring-joseph-connors/

The symposium will also be live streamed. Those interested in following the symposium online should register at the same link on the symposium webpage, checking the box for the video link rather than in-person attendance.

Organizers: Silvia Dall’Olio, Susan Klaiber
Poster design: David Mayernik
Notre Dame Rome Events: Anna Ricigliano, Aurora Nolfo