St Augustine Leaving his Mother (scene 3, east wall)

Benozzo Gozzoli's treatment of this sacred subject in 1464 exemplifies the central role of religious painting in the Early Renaissance. Benozzo Gozzoli, the Florentine painter whose festive frescoes in the Medici chapel epitomize the splendor of the Early Renaissance, approaches the subject with vivid coloring and rich decorative detail, creating an image that would have resonated deeply with contemporary viewers. Created during the mature phase of the Early Renaissance, this work reflects a period when humanist learning and renewed interest in classical antiquity were reshaping artistic ambition across Europe.

The devotional work is executed with rich decorative detail, reflecting Benozzo Gozzoli's engagement with the demands of religious painting. The composition balances narrative clarity with spiritual atmosphere, using vivid coloring to heighten the sacred drama.