Rinuccini Chapel (Basilica of Santa Croce) 1370

Here is the Rinuccini Chapel inside the Basilica of Santa Croce, decorated by Giovanni da Milano. The vaulted ceiling presents a striking composition, where the star-studded azure sky is segmented by ornate ribs that meet at the central apex. The geometric organization of the ceiling quarters space. This creates a field for religious figures set within quatrefoil frames. Each section, divided by the ribs, directs the gaze towards the center, yet also functions as a self-contained unit. The structural clarity invites a reading of the chapel that is rooted in a semiotic understanding of space and representation, and its symbolic order. The ribs, ornamented with detailed patterns, not only structurally support the vault but also function as visual pathways, guiding our eyes through the theological narrative. This structured composition, therefore, underscores the idea of divine order and the organization of religious knowledge within the architectural space.