Decoration of the Sassetti Chapel (1483-85)
by Domenico GHIRLANDAIO

Francesco Sassetti had gained his wealth as a partner in the French branches of the Medici bank in Avignon and Lyon. He also spent over ten years representing the Medici bank in Genoa and occasionally in Geneva. By the end of the 1470s, Sassetti had already acquired the rights of patronage to a small side chapel, the second to the right of the choir in the Florentine church of Santa Trinitŕ. Ghirlandaio was commissioned to paint the chapel, which he decorated with frescoes with scenes from the life of St Francis of Assisi between 1483 and 1485.

Ghirlandaio also executed the altarpiece of the chapel. This altarpiece the Adoration of the Shepherds is the key work in the chapel both in subject and in artistic merit.

In the Sassetti Chapel the artist combined secular, religious, and classical themes to produce a unique masterpiece.

Preview Picture Data File Info Comment
View of the Sassetti Chapel
1483-85
Fresco
Santa Trinita, Florence

857*1100
True Color
198 Kb



View of the Sassetti Chapel
c. 1485
Fresco
Santa Trinita, Florence

800*1356
True Color
196 Kb



Portrait of the Donor Nera Corsi Sassetti
1483-85
Fresco
Santa Trinita, Florence

755*1180
True Color
178 Kb



Portrait of the Donor Francesco Sassetti
1483-85
Fresco
Santa Trinita, Florence

765*1180
True Color
197 Kb



Vaulting of the Sassetti Chapel
c. 1485
Fresco
Santa Trinita, Florence

800*1072
True Color
226 Kb



Sibyl
1483-85
Fresco
Santa Trinita, Florence

706*1000
True Color
173 Kb



Meeting of Augustus and the Sibyl
1483-85
Fresco
Santa Trinita, Florence

900*1085
True Color
170 Kb



David
1483-85
Fresco
Santa Trinita, Florence

666*1250
True Color
165 Kb




Summary of works by Ghirlandaio
1. Early works (1471-73)
2. Stories of St Fina at San Gimignano (1473-75)
3. Frescoes in Florence and Rome (1480-84)
4. Last Supper scenes
5. Decoration of the Sassetti Chapel (1482-85)
6. Frescoes in the Tornabuoni Chapel (1486-89)
7. Panel paintings
8. Adoration of the Magi (1488)
9. Drawings