Peter Heals the Crippled

This is the left part of a fresco by Masolino. The right part shows the raising of Tabita. The fresco measures in total 225 x 598 cm.

Some claim that the background was painted by Masaccio, who made the other frescoes in the chapel, and who was quite enthusiastic about the possibilities of perspective. However, the perspective here is not particularly good – all proportion between figures and buildings is completely lost.

The cripple asks for alms. Peter has no money and gives the man his hand, at which the cripple is cured, gets up and praises the Lord. John is standing next to Peter.

There are two strange figures to the right. Although they are not part of the biblical story, they go well with the Florentine atmosphere of the tableau. Their presence underlines how commonplace the scene is supposed to be, as does the washing hanging from several windows.