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ETD Abstract Container

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The Message on the Walls: Discovering the Visual Sermon of the Brancacci Chapel

Maxwell, Andrea Michelle Kibler
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1429537658

Abstract Details

2015, MA, Kent State University, College of the Arts / School of Art.
For decades, scholars have studied the stylistic choices and possible interpretations of the Brancacci Chapel fresco cycle in Santa Maria del Carmine, Florence from the 1420s. While researchers disagree regarding the extent to which Felice Brancacci, the chapel owner, participated in the design process, little doubt remains that the resident Carmelites played an active role in the cycle planning. This research proposes an innovative approach to interpreting the fresco cycle dedicated to the life of Saint Peter. During the fourteenth century, the Carmelite brotherhood made the transition to becoming a preaching order, and as such, began developing sermons, many of which they based on those of the Franciscans. Subsequently, the Carmelite messages to the laity incorporated a fourfold method of interpreting scripture. This involved telling the literal and moral aspects of Bible verses and concluding with general themes related to allegorical and anagogic interpretations that affect one’s chance at attaining salvation. This new emphasis on preaching in the Carmelite brotherhood can be applied as a means of interpreting their art commissions from this same time frame, including that of the Brancacci Chapel. By examining the content and arrangement of the fresco cycle, I have found a literal and moral interpretation to the life of Saint Peter, as well as generalizations regarding achieving salvation through the church. Therefore, the Brancacci Chapel fresco cycle represents a visual sermon, or muta predicatio, by portraying the life of St. Peter, while simultaneously providing support for Florence, the papacy, the Carmelites, and a message for proper Christian living.
Gustav Medicus (Advisor)
Diane Scillia (Committee Member)
Fred Smith (Committee Member)
Carol Salus (Committee Member)
Navjotika Kumar (Committee Member)
100 p.
Art History
Brancacci Chapel; Florence; Renaissance; Carmelite; muta predicatio; visual sermon

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Maxwell, A. M. K. (2015). The Message on the Walls: Discovering the Visual Sermon of the Brancacci Chapel [Master's thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1429537658

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Maxwell, Andrea. The Message on the Walls: Discovering the Visual Sermon of the Brancacci Chapel. 2015. Kent State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1429537658.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Maxwell, Andrea. "The Message on the Walls: Discovering the Visual Sermon of the Brancacci Chapel." Master's thesis, Kent State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1429537658

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1429537658
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© 2015, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.