Sassetti Chapel, Gothic chapel in Basilica of Holy Trinity, Florence, Italy
The Sassetti Chapel is a Gothic sanctuary within the Basilica of Holy Trinity and displays six detailed frescoes depicting scenes from Saint Francis of Assisi's life. The wall paintings were created by Domenico Ghirlandaio between 1483 and 1485, covering the chapel's walls with religious narratives developed over several years.
The chapel was commissioned by Francesco Sassetti, director of the Medici bank, after Dominicans at Santa Maria Novella rejected his proposal for a similar decoration. This rejection redirected his patronage and wealth toward creating his own religious legacy in a different location.
The frescoes feature Medici family members and Florentine society figures placed within religious narratives set against recognizable city landmarks and landscapes. This approach brought biblical stories directly into the viewers' lived world, making sacred scenes feel personally connected to their own community.
The space is compact and focuses on the walls and altar, making the frescoes visible from close range. It helps to take time observing the details and moving slowly through the chapel's scenes, as many small elements and portraits are woven throughout.
In one fresco, the original Roman setting is relocated to the Piazza della Signoria, showing the city as it appeared before later Medici-era changes. This detail captures Florence at a specific moment before the family undertook their most extensive transformations.
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