The Brancacci Chapel is a small side chapel inside Florence’s Basilica di Santa Maria del Carmine, in the Oltrarno district. Its walls hold one of the defining fresco cycles of the early Renaissance: scenes from the life of St Peter, painted alongside the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden. Commissioned by the silk merchant Felice Brancacci, the cycle was begun around 1424 by Masolino and Masaccio and completed decades later by Filippino Lippi.
Masaccio’s figures give the chapel much of its power. Their solid bodies, naturalistic lighting and visible emotion marked a departure from earlier painting, while his use of perspective helped shape the direction of Renaissance art. Look for The Tribute Money, with its carefully constructed landscape, and the anguished Adam and Eve above the chapel entrance. The frescoes survived a devastating church fire in 1771, and a major restoration brought back much of their vivid colour.
Book ahead and check current opening hours before visiting, as access may be limited by timed entry. Allow at least 30 minutes to look closely, and note that the visitor entrance is generally to the side of the basilica rather than through its main doors. Afterwards, explore the Oltrarno on foot: Piazza Santo Spirito is a short stroll away, with cafés and places for an aperitivo.