Medici Chapel, Florence
The Medici Chapel in Florence is part of the memorial complex at the Church of San Lorenzo. This chapel is considered one of the best works not only of Michelangelo Buonarroti personally but also of the Later Renaissance on the whole. The master arrived in the city at the invitation of Pope Leo X (de Medici). He offered Michelangelo to create a new facade for the San Lorenzo temple. However, the lack of money and the death of the pope disrupted the plan.
History of the chapel
To keep the relationship with the influential artist, Cardinal Giulio de Medici commissioned him a chapel in the church of San Lorenzo. The work began in 1519 and lasted 15 years. The Medici Chapel is a small square structure with a dome. Everything that you can see in the chapel is permeated with the theme of death. Lighting plays a significant role: at the very bottom, near the sarcophagi, reigns darkness. But the higher you look, the more sunlight penetrating into the tomb you will see. This symbolizes the immortality of the soul and the Kingdom of the Lord.
While the construction was underway, the relationship between Michelangelo and the Medici family has become worse. The artist was dissatisfied with the work, as it did not correspond to the original plan. During an uprising in Florence in 1527, the Medici were expelled from the city. Michelangelo himself joined the camp of revolutionaries, and the work over the construction of the chapel was suspended. Florence was besieged by soldiers of the Pope and Emperor Charles. In 1531, the citizens surrendered, the Medici returned and ordered Michelangelo to continue the work. Having completed the sketches of sculptures, the artist hastened to leave the city, moved to Rome and never returned to Florence. The Medici chapel was consequently built according to the artist's draft.
What to see in the chapel
Gravestones to the early departed representatives of the Medici family, the Duke of Nemours, Giuliano, and the Duke of Urbino, Lorenzo, were created first. Michelangelo decisively refused to portrait them. This explains why the figures of the men towering over the sarcophagus do not look like the deceased. The artist placed symbolic statutes at sides. The sculptures Day and Night decorate the tombstone of Giuliano, while Morning and Evening adorn Lorenzo's tomb. Figures of river gods that lie on the floor complete the composition and remind of the inexorable flow of time.
Besides, the tomb of Lorenzo was to be decorated with armor, garlands and four figures of crouching boys. The only such sculpture was later taken to England, and in 1785 it was bought by the Russian Empress Catherine II.
One can see three sculptures near the sarcophagus, including Madonna and a Child. Unlike other figures in the chapel, it does not convey any shadow of tragedy.
How to get there
The Medici Chapel is one of Florence's main attractions, thus the information about its location can be found in any guidebook. It is located on Piazza San Lorenzo. The main landmark is the Basilica of San Lorenzo.
You can get there by the bus №С1 (stop "San Lorenzo" or "Chapel of the Medici").
Schedule: from 8:15 to 17:00. Please note: the ticket office closes at 16:20. Weekend: every even Sunday and odd Monday of the month; Christmas (25 December), New Year (1 January) and 1 May. The entrance ticket costs 6-8 euros.
