Rainaldi, Carlo

Rainaldi, Carlo (kär`lō rīnäl`dē), 1611–91, Italian architect of the high baroque. He followed in the steps of the great Roman masters of baroque building, Bernini, Borromini, and Cortona. Largely dependent upon them for his designs, Rainaldi developed a heavier and more austere style that was widely imitated. Most of his work is in Rome. One of his first important buildings was the Church of Santa Maria in Campitelli (1663–67). With the assistance of Carlo Fontana, he completed during this period the facade of Sant' Andrea della Valle, which had been begun by Carlo Maderno. His greatest project was the planning of the Piazza del Popolo and the twin churches at the focal point of the plaza. Bernini and then Fontana took over the design of the church at the left, Santa Maria di Monte Santo, but Rainaldi was mainly responsible for the construction (1675–79) of the other church, Santa Maria de' Miracoli.