Located in the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence, the Brancacci Chapel is one of the most interesting buildings in the city of Florence. It was almost completely destroyed in 1771 when a large fire burned down part of the Church. Luckily, Chapel Brancacci managed to stay intact and it’s nowadays one of the most beloved tourist attractions in Florence.
Let’s find out something more about the Brancacci Chapel and why you should visit it!
The Brancacci Chapel’s history
The Chapel was built in 1422 and it was commissioned by Felice Brancacci. The Brancacci Chapel is considered to be the early Renaissance version of the Sistine Chapel because it contains a large number of frescoes. These paintings were made between 1425 and 1427 by different artists, among which we can find Masolino da Panicale and his associate Masaccio, who painted the Tribute Money, located in the Chapel. After Masaccio’s death, the remaining parts of the Chapel were completed by Filippino Lippi.
Frescoes in the Brancacci Chapel
The most interesting aspects of the Brancacci Chapel are definitely the frescoes and paintings. Masolino and Masaccio took a different approach, compared to medieval art, to perspective. Following what Giotto had started, Masaccio chose to paint more realistic versions of nature and men, becoming part of the new Renaissance style.
Here’s a list of some of the most important paintings and frescoes in the Brancacci Chapel:
- THE TEMPTATION OF ADAM AND EVE, made by Masolino;
- THE EXPULSION FROM THE GARDEN OF EDEN, made by Masaccio;
- THE TRIBUTE MONEY, made by Masaccio;
- ST. PETER PREACHING, made by Masolino;
- BAPTISM OF THE NEOPHYTES, made by Masaccio;
- RAISING OF THE SON OF THEOPHILUS AND ST. PETER ENTHRONED, made by Masaccio;
- DISPUTATION WITH SIMON MAGUS AND CRUCIFIXION OF ST. PETER, made by Filippino Lippi;
Conclusion
Visiting the Brancacci Chapel in Florence definitely makes for a great experience if you enjoy Renaissance art. We highly suggest you get a private tour of Florence with us if you wish to fully experience the beauty of these frescoes and paintings. To get to know more about Florence, check out our other blogs!
