Brancacci Chapel

The Brancacci Chapel, located inside the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence, is one of the masterpieces of the early Italian Renaissance. Its history dates back to the second half of the 14th century, when the chapel was commissioned by the wealthy Brancacci family, particularly by Felice Brancacci, an influential silk merchant and diplomat. The chapel became famous for the cycle of frescoes depicting the stories of Saint Peter, started by Masolino da Panicale and his student Masaccio between 1424 and 1428, and later completed by Filippino Lippi in 1481-1483. Masolino and Masaccio worked closely together, with Masolino focusing on scenes like the “Original Sin” and the “Healing of the Cripple,” while Masaccio created revolutionary frescoes like the “Expulsion from the Garden of Eden” and the “Tribute Money.” Their pioneering technique in representing perspective and their use of light deeply influenced Renaissance painting. Unfortunately, Masaccio’s premature death in 1428 left the cycle unfinished, and work was also suspended due to Felice Brancacci’s exile for political reasons.The cycle of frescoes remained incomplete until 1480, when the Brancacci family was readmitted to Florence and it was decided to complete the work by entrusting it to Filippino Lippi, son of Fra Filippo Lippi, another important artist of the time. Filippino Lippi managed to integrate his style with that of his predecessors, maintaining the chromatic and stylistic coherence of the original frescoes.During the 17th century, the chapel underwent several modifications and restorations. In 1642, for example, some of the nudity in the figures was covered to conform to the moral standards of the time. An important restoration intervention took place in the 20th century, thanks to the studies of Ugo Procacci, which restored the original colors to the frescoes and clarified their attributions.Among the episodes depicted in the frescoes, one of the most famous is Masaccio’s “Expulsion from the Garden of Eden,” which stands out for its dramatic intensity and realistic representation of human emotions. Another significant fresco is the “Tribute Money,” where Masaccio introduces an innovative use of perspective and light to create a scene of great realism and depth.The Brancacci Chapel has long been a reference point for Renaissance artists. It is said that Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci came here to study Masaccio’s frescoes to learn their technical secrets. This space has therefore played a crucial role in the formation of some of the greatest artists in history.