The Pazzi Chapel was one of Brunelleschi’s last projects, and he drew inspiration from earlier in his long career when designing it. Along with Andrea Palladio, Brunelleschi is considered one of the fathers of classical revivalist architecture. As a young man, he spent time in Rome excavating areas like the Forum Romanum and Colosseum. When he returned to Florence he started introducing Roman details and composition to his projects, in contrast to the distinctly medieval Gothic and Romanesque styles which were popular at the time. Classical elements are easily found in the Pazzi Chapel. The most obvious are those at the front of the loggia- a sort of triumphal arch supported by Corinthian columns. However, there are more subtle nods to ancient architecture in the general structure of the building. Various visual blocks in the facade conform to the golden ratio, and throughout the building Brunelleschi uses boldly simple geometric forms, not just in the facade but in the interior space, a basic but beautiful combination of cubes and hemispheres. This interior would have perhaps been grander, but it lost funding after its patron, a leading member of the Pazzi family, was executed for conspiring against the ruling Medicis.

Citation:

Renovating the Pazzi Chapel