The Bacci Chapel
Located in the Basilica of St. Francis in Arezzo, the Bacci Chapel is a jewel of the Italian Renaissance, an exemplar of 15th-century art. Famous for its fresco cycle “The Stories of the True Cross” by Piero della Francesca, the chapel, commissioned by the Bacci family, combines historical narrative and religious symbolism. The frescoes, painted between 1452 and 1466, illustrate the legend of the True Cross taken from Jacopo da Varagine’s “Legenda Aurea.” The Bacci Chapel testifies to the talent of Piero della Francesca and the commitment of Arezzo’s patrons to promoting art and culture. Today, it continues to attract visitors from all over the world, fascinated by its beauty and historical depth.
The Bacci Family
During the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, the Bacci family was among the most influential in Arezzo. Wealthy merchants, the Bacci family amassed fortunes through trade and financial activities, although some practices were considered usury by the Church. Baccio di Maso Bacci, in his 1417 will, left a generous bequest for the decoration of the choir of the Basilica of San Francesco, reflecting a desire for religious reconciliation and salvation of the soul, common among merchants of the time. Baccio’s heirs began work 30 years later, creating the splendid Bacci Chapel, leaving a lasting legacy in Arezzo’s artistic history.
The Historical Context
The Bacci Chapel was created in a transitional period between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, marked by social, economic and artistic changes. During this time, Italy was seeing a flowering of the arts and sciences, supported by the patronage of wealthy merchant families such as the Bacci. However, trade and money lending were often in conflict with ecclesiastical doctrines that considered them usury. Merchants made significant donations to the Church to compensate for their sins and secure eternal salvation. The Renaissance marked a renewed interest in classical art and technical innovations, such as perspective and symmetry, which influenced artists such as Piero della Francesca.
The Beginning of Work
In 1447, work on the Bacci Chapel was entrusted to Bicci di Lorenzo, a Florentine artist known for his late Gothic style. Master of one of the most active workshops in Florence, he decorated the main chapel of the Basilica of San Francesco. His initial work included the four Evangelists in the spandrels of the vault, the Doctors of the Church Gregory and Jerome in the sub-arch, and a Last Judgment in the triumphal arch. However, in 1452, Bicci di Lorenzo fell ill and died, leaving the work unfinished. The Bacci heirs then decided to entrust the completion to Piero della Francesca, who transformed the chapel into a Renaissance masterpiece.
Piero della Francesca and the Bacci Chapel
Born about 1415 in Sansepolcro, Piero della Francesca is an emblematic figure of the Italian Renaissance. After training in the workshop of Antonio d’Anghiari, he moved to Florence, where he was a pupil of Domenico Veneziano and absorbed Masaccio’s artistic innovations. Piero worked for important Italian courts, gaining fame for his technical mastery and use of perspective. Despite his success, he remained tied to his native land, contributing to local art. Appointed to complete the decoration of the Bacci Chapel in 1452, Piero solidified his role as a Renaissance innovator with the fresco cycle “The Stories of the True Cross.”
The Bacci Chapel Frescoes
Considered a masterpiece of Renaissance painting, the fresco cycle “The Stories of the True Cross” was painted by Piero della Francesca between 1452 and 1466. The frescoes narrate the legend of the True Cross taken from Jacopo da Varagine’s “Legenda Aurea” and are organized in three overlapping registers, with scenes arranged according to aesthetic and symbolic criteria. At the top, outdoor scenes; in the middle register, court scenes; and at the bottom, battles. This arrangement creates a visual symmetry that reflects Piero’s mastery of perspective and space, combining historical and theological narrative with extraordinary artistry.
Innovations of Piero della Francesca
Piero della Francesca is renowned for his innovative artistic techniques, which brought a new dimension to Renaissance art. In the Bacci Chapel, he applied perspective masterfully, creating depth and realism that were revolutionary for his time. The symmetry of the scenes not only enhances visual aesthetics, but reflects complex symbolic and theological meanings. Every detail, from the posture of the figures to the configuration of spaces, conveys harmonious balance and intense spirituality. The innovative use of light and shadow lends three-dimensionality to the characters. These innovations profoundly influenced contemporary and later artists, solidifying Piero as a pioneer of Renaissance art.
The Master of St. Francis in the Bacci Chapel
Next to Piero della Francesca’s frescoes in the Basilica of St. Francis in Arezzo is the large painted Cross, attributed to the Master of St. Francis. Dating from the late 13th century, it represents a significant example of Umbrian art of the period. Suspended above the high altar, the Cross depicts Christus patiens, the suffering Christ, with St. Francis kneeling at his feet. This depiction of Christ in agony, typical of medieval iconography, reflects the emphasis on Jesus’ passion and sacrifice. The anonymous Master of St. Francis left a lasting impression with this work, enriching the artistic and spiritual value of the Basilica and offering visitors an immersive experience.
The Bacci Chapel becomes State Museum
Today the Bacci Chapel in the Basilica of St. Francis in Arezzo is a state museum, dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of its extraordinary artistic heritage. It attracts visitors from all over the world, fascinated by the masterpieces of Piero della Francesca and other works preserved in the basilica. State management ensures the protection and maintenance of the frescoes and structures, preserving their beauty for future generations. Visitors can admire up close the fresco cycle “The Stories of the True Cross” and the large painted Cross by the Master of St. Francis, immersing themselves in the historical and spiritual atmosphere of the place. The Bacci Chapel regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events, keeping alive the interest in Renaissance art and the history of Arezzo.
The Treasure of the Bacci Chapel
The Bacci Chapel is an artistic treasure that testifies to the rich interweaving of religious devotion, patronage and artistic innovation during the Renaissance. Piero della Francesca’s frescoes, with their technical mastery and symbolic depth, continue to inspire scholars, artists, and visitors alike. Piero’s work represents a harmonious fusion of aesthetics and theology, offering a unique vision of the legend of the True Cross. The generosity of the Bacci family, which enabled the creation of this masterpiece, reflects the crucial role of patronage in the evolution of Renaissance art. Today, the Bacci Chapel is a symbol of Italian cultural heritage, a place where history, art and spirituality meet. Its preservation as a state museum ensures that future generations can continue to appreciate these extraordinary works, keeping alive the cultural and artistic legacy of Arezzo and the Italian Renaissance.