Brancacci Chapel Church

The Brancacci Chapel is a chapel in the church of Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence, famed for its early Renaissance fresco cycle begun in the 1420s. The cycle is particularly important for the innovations of Masaccio and its influence on later Florentine artists.

The chapel walls display a sequence of narrative frescoes, notably scenes such as the “Tribute Money” and the “Expulsion from Paradise,” where Masaccio introduced more naturalistic figures, volumetric modelling and coherent light sources. Secondary contributions by Masolino and later completion by Filippino Lippi add stylistic layers from the early to late Renaissance.

The frescoes are concentrated on the north, south and west walls and remain a key study site for developments in perspective, anatomy and narrative composition in 15th-century Italian painting. Close viewing reveals underdrawing, retouches and later restoration work that document changing conservation approaches.

Work on the cycle began in the early 1420s under the patronage of the Brancacci family; Masaccio and Masolino executed the principal scenes and left unfinished areas later completed by Filippino Lippi in the late 15th century. The chapel underwent major conservation in the 20th century to address smoke and water damage and to recover original pigments.

Located in the Oltrarno quarter of Florence, the chapel sits inside the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine near Piazza del Carmine and is easily reached on foot from central Florence.

• Masterworks by Masaccio: The frescoes include landmark works by Masaccio such as the “Tribute Money” and the “Expulsion,” which are key early examples of Renaissance use of perspective and naturalism.
• Viewing considerations: Access may be controlled during mass and conservation work; photography without flash is commonly permitted but can be restricted on occasion.

From Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station, take tram line T1 or local buses to the Oltrarno side; the chapel sits in the Carmine district a 15-20 minute walk from Ponte Vecchio, or a short bus ride across the river.

• Sit quietly in front of Masaccio's 'The Tribute Money' - the brushwork in the shadows rewards close looking.
• Enter through the church of Santa Maria del Carmine and buy a combined ticket if offered; the chapel is inside the church complex.
• Study the painted repairs and later additions: the chapel is a palimpsest of 15th-century ambition and 16th-century completion.