Salvi, Niccolo

Salvi, Niccolo, an Italian architect, was born, in 1699, at Rome. He was of wealthy parent, age; and, having received a brilliant education, he applied himself in turn to poetry, mathematics, philosophy, and even medicine, but finally decided upon architecture, which had always been his favorite study. His master, Canevarius, leaving Rome, Salvi was left in charge of many important works. He designed several beautiful altars and constructed villas; but his great work is the Fountain of Trevi, which was commenced by order of Clement XII and finished under Benedict XIV. He died at Rome in 1751.