Francesco Maria Richini (also spelledRicchini) (9 February 1584 – 24 April 1658) was anItalian Baroque architect.

He was born inMilan, Italy, and trained underLorenzo Binago. He was patronized by CardinalFederico Borromeo, Archbishop of Milan. After a stint in Rome, he becamecapomastrounder the main architect of theCathedral of the city,Aurelio Trezzi, in 1605. He was elevated to the latter's position himself from 1631 to 1638.

Like his famous elder cousin,Carlo Borromeo, author of a guide to religious architecture, Federico Borromeo promulgated classical or antique models. In Richini he found a deviation to the Baroque, as exemplified by his churches ofSanta Maria alla Porta and ofSan Giuseppe. This small church in central Milan (consecrated 1616) has a highly decorated facade (finished 1630) with volutes. The interior is twoBramante-inspired squares.

He also worked on the palazzos ofBrera (1627–1628), Annoni (1631),Litta (1642–1648), and Durini (1648). He contributed to the design of the courtyard of theOspedale Maggiore (1625–1649), in collaboration with Giovan Battista Messina,Fabio Mangone andGiovanni Battista Crespi. He also designed the concave facade for theCollegio Elvetico, and also for theCollegio Borromeo inPavia and the Ducal Palace of theCertosa di Pavia (1625).^[1] He helped in the construction ofSant'Alessandro in Zebedia in Milan. He designed the "Altar of Our Lady of the Assumption" in theComo Cathedral, a work that lasted several decades and was completed in 1686.

His son, Gian Domenico, was also an architect. Richini is said to have been an early influence ofFrancesco Borromini.^[2]

• Wittkower, Rudolf (1993). "Art and Architecture Italy, 1600-1750".Pelican History of Art. 1980. Penguin Books. pp. 118–119.
• Gritti, Jessica (2016)."RICHINO, Francesco Maria".Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani, Volume 87: Renzi–Robortello (in Italian). Rome:Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana.ISBN 978-8-81200032-6. Retrieved18 May 2024.