Brancacci Chapel

The chapel is part of the church of Santa Maria del Carmine. The entrance is to the right of the church, through the cloister.

Entrance to the right of the church of Santa Maria del Carmine, crossing the cloister to the ticket window.

Address: Piazza del Carmine 14

Opening hours: every day except Tuesday, 10:00–17:00, on Sunday 13:00–17:00, last entrance 45 minutes before closing.

Admission: €15 (the ticket includes the museum of the Salvatore Romano Foundation). Reservation recommended.

Hours and admission may change.

Visit limited to 30 minutes, groups of 30 people at most, reservation recommended.

In 1424 Felice Brancacci commissioned Masolino da Panicale to decorate his chapel. He was assisted by Tommaso di Ser Giovanni, known as Masaccio. After Masolino left for Hungary, Masaccio continued the work alone, but died at the age of 28 on a journey to Rome. 50 years later, Filippino Lippi finally finished the work, but with such mimicry that his participation was recognized only in the 19th century.

 

The best-known image in this fresco cycle is the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. Masaccio departs from the classicism of the Renaissance and shows us an Eve – mouth wide open – eyes rolled back – screaming her despair. Adam, overwhelmed, unable to believe what is happening to him, hides his eyes behind his hands.

The other panels, separate or joint works, deal with the life of Saint Peter.

Filippino Lippi alone painted the crucifixion of Saint Peter and his release from prison by an angel. All the panels tell several events relating to the same subject, while remaining extremely easy to read.

See also: the church of Santa Maria del Carmine.