Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, Italy
The new lighting system for the Church of “San Luigi dei Francesi” in Rome has been carefully designed with the aim of ensuring a unified and harmonious perception of the entire interior space, which represents a unique and invaluable example of architectural, historical, and artistic heritage. The lighting fixtures are equipped with 2700K LEDs, a high colour rendering index (CRI > 90), anti-glare accessories, and a DALI control system, allowing for precise and flexible management of different lighting scenes.
A wide variety of lighting scenarios have been meticulously developed to accommodate the functions of the church, including free and guided visits, orchestra and organ concerts, weddings, and diverse liturgical events. Each scenario is tailored to enhance the spiritual, cultural, and emotional atmosphere of the space while ensuring optimal visibility and comfort.
The “Contarelli” Chapel, which houses Caravaggio’s celebrated masterpieces, has been thoughtfully reintegrated into the harmonious visual flow of the church by removing the old coin-operated ignition system. Innovative dynamic lighting scenes were created specifically for guided tours in the chapels, designed to foster a deeper engagement between visitors and the artworks. The guide’s narration is perfectly synchronized with subtle, soft lighting accents that emphasize key compositional and symbolic elements within each painting.
Together with art historians, the most important areas in terms of composition were identified in Caravaggio’s works; a medium aperture beam was dedicated to these areas in order to accentuate the emotional and narrative level while respecting the visual hierarchies intended by Caravaggio.
In the “Contarelli” Chapel, the dynamic lighting focuses on Caravaggio’s masterpieces—The Calling, The Inspiration, and The Martyrdom of St. Matthew—using a progressive soft-focus technique on specific areas of each painting that are critical to its composition and narrative, thus enhancing the visual storytelling.
Special attention has been paid to minimizing the visual impact of the lighting technology itself. The fixtures are exceedingly small and unobtrusive, colours have been carefully calibrated to blend with surrounding surfaces, and mimetic metal veils have been created to conceal electrical wiring and fixtures from all viewpoints, preserving the aesthetic integrity of the space.
The entire lighting system uses LED technology for its high performance. This choice ensures sustainability, reduces maintenance, and supports cultural heritage conservation, while enhancing the visitor experience. The use of programmable lighting scenes optimizes energy consumption based on events or time of day, maximizing visual comfort and dramatic effect. Fixtures have a long lifespan and include an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), certifying environmental impact over their life cycle, supported by Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and comply with European standards such as the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM). Where possible, existing fixtures were reused in secondary areas to reduce waste and environmental impact.