NICCOLINA CHAPEL

Niccolina Chapel - click to enlarge

Pope Innocent III (1198-1216) built in the Vatican a papal residence, currently known as the Tower of Nicholas V (1397 - 1455).

Tommaso Parentucelli, namely Nicholas V, the Pope Humanist, devised a plan for the urban reorganization of Rome, which took the name of "Niccolino Plan", a plan that had to have organic implementation over a century later thanks to Pope Sixtus V.

The Niccolino Plan provided, among other things, the renovation in the Vatican of the Apostolic Palace. So, in the Tower of Nicholas V, was built the Pope's private chapel, the Niccolina Chapel, the decoration of which was entrusted to the great frà (=friar) Beato Angelico and aids, including the famous Benozzo Gozzoli.

Niccolina Chapel - click to enlarge
Nicholas V	Beato Angelico portrayed by Luca Signorelli	Benozzo Gozzoli - self-portrait

The rectangular chapel, with the four Evangelists in the center of the barrel vault, was painted in two years starting in 1447.

A large arch introduces the chapel, while the remaining three walls are frescoed, with “Stories of the Life of the Saints Stephen and Lawrence”.

Vault - click to enlarge

The three walls are divided into two registers.

The upper register is formed by lunettes divided into 2 semi-lunettes, each describing incidents relating to the life of Saint Stephen (? - Jerusalem 36 AD ).
The lower register describes similar episodes in the life of San Lawrence (225 – Roma 258 AD).

Starting from the semi-lunette to the left of the entrance we see “St. Stphen receiving the diaconate by St. Peter”.

St. Stephen receiving the diaconate by St. Peter

In the adjoining semi-lunette “St. Stephen distributes alms”.

Do not miss the stunning face of one of the characters portrayed in the scene.

St. Stephen distributes alms - particular

In the left semi-lunette of the central wall is depicted the “Sermon of St. Stephen”.

Significant is the care of the architecture, a sign of the complexity of the work that had to be worthy of the Apostolic Palace.

Sermon of St. Stephen

In the other semi-lunette “Dispute in the Sanhedrin” before the Great Rabbi (the Sanhedrin was the institution of Jerusalem, similar to a court, in which were discussed the prosecution and defense arguments, before being put to the vote).

Dispute in the Sanhedrin

The left semi-lunette of the right wall tells us that St. Stephen was condemned by the Sanhedrin, therefore he was captured.

Unforgettable the faces portrayed in the scene and architectures.

Niccolina Chapel - Capture of St. Stephen, particular

The next semi-lunette describes with extreme crudeness the “Stoning of St. Stephen”.

As evidence of the care that Fra' Angelico devoted to every detail in the background you see a picturesque landscape.

Niccolina Chapel - Stoning of St. Stephen

In the register below the lunettes from left to right we see “Consecration of St. Lawrence as a deacon”

Nicholas V appears in the scene, in the guise of Pope Sixtus II (? - ROMA 258) consecrates Lawrence, under the eyes of the clergy (not to be missed).

Niccolina Chapel - Consecration of St. Lawrence as a deacon

Then “St. Lawrence receives the treasures of the Church”, once again by Pope Nicholas V, alias Sixtus II.

Beside “St. Lawrence distributes alms”.

It follows the scene depicting St. Lawrence led to the presence of Emperor Licinius Valeriano (200 -260) to be judged.

Niccolina Chapel - St. Lawrence led to the presence of Emperor Licinius Valeriano

Concludes the cycle “The Martyrdom of St. Lawrence”.

Niccolina Chapel - The Martyrdom of St. Lawrence

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