Bardi di Vernio Chapel, 14th-century chapel in Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence, Italy
Description
The Bardi di Vernio Chapel is a 14th-century chapel inside the Basilica of Santa Croce decorated with frescoes by Maso di Banco covering walls, ceiling, and stained glass windows. The painted scenes depict episodes from the life of Saint Sylvester in vivid detail.
History
The chapel was originally built by the Bardi di Mangona family and passed to the Bardi di Vernio branch in 1602. This banking family played a central role in Florence and shaped the city's artistic life across generations.
Culture
Maso di Banco painted scenes from the Golden Legend, including Constantine's refusal to bathe in children's blood and his conversion to Christianity.
Practical
The frescoes here remain visible today because they escaped the whitewashing that affected other artworks in Santa Croce during the 1700s. The interior can be viewed by visitors exploring the basilica and is easy to reach.
Did you know?
On the left wall stand two tomb monuments with rare frescoes showing the Last Judgment, one featuring a kneeling Bettino de' Bardi from 1347. These personal portrayals offer glimpses into how people imagined the afterlife during that era.
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