The Brancacci Chapel is one of the chapels within the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence. In fact, it is the shining jewel of the building as much was lost in an 18th century fire, leaving the church otherwise very plain.
Miraculously, this great artwork survived and is even often referred to as the “Sistine Chapel of the Early Renaissance” due the wonderful frescoes that adorn its walls. Just find a luxury villa near Florence and you can discover these extraordinary paintings for yourself!
In 1424, frescoes were commissioned by Felice Brancacci, a wealthy Florentine merchant and statesman, to decorate the chapel and to illustrate the life of St. Peter. They were designed by Masolino da Panicale and he was aided in their production by his pupil, Masaccio. Masaccio then took over in 1428 but, sadly, passed away that very year at just 27 years of age.
Miraculously, this great artwork survived and is even often referred to as the “Sistine Chapel of the Early Renaissance” due the wonderful frescoes that adorn its walls. Just find a luxury villa near Florence and you can discover these extraordinary paintings for yourself!
In 1424, frescoes were commissioned by Felice Brancacci, a wealthy Florentine merchant and statesman, to decorate the chapel and to illustrate the life of St. Peter. They were designed by Masolino da Panicale and he was aided in their production by his pupil, Masaccio. Masaccio then took over in 1428 but, sadly, passed away that very year at just 27 years of age.
The cycle of frescoes was then eventually completed by Filippino Lippi in the 1480s. Recent restoration has been very successful and the frescoes are more readily visible today than ever, with the vivid colours looking akin to gem stones and the change from artist to artist clear as day.
On the upper register of the fresco cycle you can find “Adam and Eve in the Earthly Paradise” and “Original Sin” by Masolino; the “Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Earthly Paradise”, followed by the “Tribute Money” and the “Baptism of the Neophytes” by Masaccio; and the “Preaching of St. Peter”, the “Healing of the Lame Man” and “The raising of Tabitha”, also by Masolino. In the lower register are Masaccio's “St. Peter Curing the Sick with his Shadow”, the “Distribution of Goods”, and the “Death of Ananias”. The work was then completed by Filippino Lippi, who worked on the lower register of the left wall, finishing the “Raising of the Son of Theophilus” and “St. Peter Enthroned” that had been begun by Masaccio and painting on his own “St. Peter in Prison Visited by St. Paul”, “The Disputation of St. Peter and St. Paul with Simon Magus”, the “Crucifixion of St. Peter”, and “St. Peter Visited in Prison”.
On the upper register of the fresco cycle you can find “Adam and Eve in the Earthly Paradise” and “Original Sin” by Masolino; the “Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Earthly Paradise”, followed by the “Tribute Money” and the “Baptism of the Neophytes” by Masaccio; and the “Preaching of St. Peter”, the “Healing of the Lame Man” and “The raising of Tabitha”, also by Masolino. In the lower register are Masaccio's “St. Peter Curing the Sick with his Shadow”, the “Distribution of Goods”, and the “Death of Ananias”. The work was then completed by Filippino Lippi, who worked on the lower register of the left wall, finishing the “Raising of the Son of Theophilus” and “St. Peter Enthroned” that had been begun by Masaccio and painting on his own “St. Peter in Prison Visited by St. Paul”, “The Disputation of St. Peter and St. Paul with Simon Magus”, the “Crucifixion of St. Peter”, and “St. Peter Visited in Prison”.
Between 1746 and 1748 the chapel was extensively redecorated and Vincenzo Meucci frescoed the ceiling with the “Virgin Consigning the Scapular to St. Simon Stock”, destroying Masolino’s Evangelists and painted over the lunettes of the “Shipwreck of the Apostles” and the “Calling of the Apostles”.
Despite all of the change and losses, however, the chapel remains a great beauty and is one of the most important fresco cycles of the Renaissance. A visit is a must for art-lovers visiting Florence.
Despite all of the change and losses, however, the chapel remains a great beauty and is one of the most important fresco cycles of the Renaissance. A visit is a must for art-lovers visiting Florence.