Florence, the church of Santa Maria Novella and Masaccio’s masterpiece

The church of Santa Maria Novella.

Last year, not long after I have started my Art Valuer course a new destination appeared on my bucket list: visiting Florence and Masaccio’s fresco in the Santa Maria Novella: The Trinity.

This fresco is a masterpiece of perspective. The Renaissance as artistic revolution had its roots in Tuscany and spread throughout Europe from the 15^th century.  

I must mention here that one of the first foreign towns was Budapest who discovered the Renaissance thanks to our king Matthias and his Italian-born wife Beatrice of Naples. The city became a cultural centre; the library of Matthias was the second biggest in Europe. (The biggest library belonged to the Vatican.) Unfortunately during the 150 years Ottoman occupation almost everything was ruined. We no longer have the palaces, frescos or paintings from the Renaissance.

As we had one day here too with my sister I had to make hard decisions what to see and what to miss. The queue was endless in front of the Duomo as we passed by so I didn’t go inside. It was no wait at the church of Santa Maria Novella. You have to buy a ticket and you enter from the side. The first thing you see is The Trinity fresco by Masaccio. I had no idea how to imagine it but it is a lot bigger than I expected. He created it in 1427 and the next year he passed away. He was only 27 years old at that time. Just imagine if he has a long life to create... (The Brancacci Chapel in the church of Santa Maria del Carmine is another place where you can admire his works.) So this is the work that attracted many artists before. Even Michelangelo paid visit to this fresco.

And now here you are a few celebrities…

Another highlight of the church is a crucifix by Giotto that was created back in 1289. The pulpit was designed by the architect Filippo Brunelleschi, who designed the dome of Florence Cathedral. The bronze crucifix on the main altar is by Giambologna from the 16^th century. Above the main door there is Sandro Botticelli’s early work, a nativity scene.

There are inside several chapels those belonged to wealthy Italian families. The finest frescos on the walls show you the richness of the Renaissance.

Their bookshop is also impressive!