The Medici Chapels are one of the greatest expressions of Renaissance sculpture and architecture and make up a part of the Mediceo-Laurenziano complex, thus named because it came under Medici sponsorship in the 15th century. Michelangelo’s intent was to dedicate as much to the architecture as to the sculptural aspect of his grand and solemn plan.
The chapels are particularly suggestive for the sculptural pieces which adorn Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino’s tomb with the sublime Thought, Daybreak and Dusk, and Giuliano, Duke of Nemours’ tomb with the statue of the duke together with Day and Night and the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus.
In the Sagrestia Nuova (New Sacristy) (built between 1520 and 1533) of the Medici Chapels we find three famous tombs, only two of which were completed. The Chapel complex is a majestic example of the inseparability of architecture and sculpture, where these two arts blend together and complement on another. The Sagrestia Nuova was completed by Vasari and Ammannati.
The construction of the Chapel of the Princes, which is also within the Medici Chapels, was built beginning in 1604 on a design by Giovanni de’ Medici who wanted to build a Medici family tomb here which was worthy of their power and wealth. The walls are completely covered with various types of precious marble, expertly cut precious stones and golden bronze. The six porphyry sarcophaguses belong to the Medici grand-dukes from Cosimo I to Cosimo III.