Pazzi Chapel

The Pazzi Chapel, built on the grounds of the Franciscan Basilica of Santa Croce, was commissioned by Andrea de’ Pazzi to be the chapter house for the monks. While it was first commissioned in 1429, lack of funding prevented its construction until 1442; it was then completed in c. 1465. While most scholars attribute the design to Filippo Brunelleschi, there has been some debate, with some scholars suggesting that the architect was in fact Michelozzo (See Further Readings). However, both groups agree that the style of the building takes after Brunelleschi’s earlier designs for the Old Sacristy at San Lorenzo.

The Pazzi Chapel epitomizes the cerebral beauty of early Renaissance architecture. By making use of simplified shapes and a limited color palette, Brunelleschi created a sense of continual harmony throughout the structure. The layout is meant to evoke a sense of weightlessness in the observer by utilizing visual balance throughout the space. Additionally, the Pazzi Chapel was based on the description of the New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation (See Further Readings). The figurative narrative begins in the twelve-ribbed dome and its twelve circular windows. Here, the apostles are represented in the form of pure light. These windows reflect light off of the white stucco walls, creating a heaven-like realm that appears clear and pure, as described in Revelation. The round shapes in the upper portion of the chapel accent this since the circle was considered a heavenly shape. In the pendentives, the four evangelists are portrayed in polychrome terracotta. The top section of the chapel is then separated by a frieze that contains cherubim and lamb reliefs. These are suggestive of the seals of the heavenly book that John sees in his vision and of the lamb acting as the light in heaven. Underneath the frieze, the twelve apostles are also physically depicted in glazed terracotta roundels; here they act as the city's foundation. Underneath each apostle, there is a pietra serena (local gray stone) arch, which represents the twelve gates in New Jerusalem. Below all of this, a pietra serena bench goes along the perimeter of the structure. This is where the monks would sit to hold their meetings. This format serves as a visual for the continual Christian hierarchy, with Christ as the Lamb at the top, followed by the first apostles, and finally resting on the monks as they continue on the path their predecessors set before them. The transition to rectangular shapes in the space that the monks occupied emphasizes this hierarchy. The Pazzi Chapel embodies a true Renaissance building, where functionality meets innovative design and geometric precision combines with inspiration from antiquity to create a truly remarkable building.

-AG