Brancacci Chapel

Overview

The Brancacci Chapel in the church of Santa Maria del Carmine contains the most important fresco cycle of the early Renaissance—Masaccio's revolutionary paintings that taught Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael how to paint the human figure.

Highlights

• Masaccio's 'Expulsion from Eden': Raw human emotion, anatomical accuracy, and atmospheric perspective—all revolutionary for 1427.
• 'The Tribute Money': Masaccio's masterful use of single-point perspective and chiaroscuro.
• Three painters: The cycle was begun by Masolino (1424), revolutionised by Masaccio (1427), and completed by Filippino Lippi (1480s).

History

Felice Brancacci commissioned the frescoes around 1424. Masaccio's contributions (he died aged 26 in 1428) transformed Western painting. The chapel was restored in the 1980s, revealing original vivid colours.

Visitor Tips

• Timed entry: Just 30 visitors per 20-minute slot—reserve at museicivicifiorentini.comune.fi.it.
• Essential viewing: This chapel is arguably more historically important than the Sistine Chapel.
• Duration: 20–30 minutes.