Cybo-Soderini Chapel (Santa Maria del Popolo)

The Cybo-Soderini Chapel (Italian: Cappella Cybo-Soderini) or the Chapel of the Crucifixion (Italian: Cappella del Crocifisso) is a side chapel of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Popolo, Rome. Its most important works of art are the frescos of a Flemish artist, Pieter van Lint from 1636-40.

The chapel was founded by Teodorina Cybo (c. 1455-1508), Cardinal Giovanni Battista Cybo's daughter. She was married to a Genovese gentleman, Gherardo Usodimare. The concession to the chapel was renewed in 1530 to Teodorina's son, Giovanni Battista Usodimare, the Bishop of Mariana and his heirs. The chapel contained the sepulchral monuments of Teodorina, her husband and their son, together with ancient relics. The altar was consecrated in 1595.

The chapel was returned to the House of Cybo in 1636 and fully restored in Baroque style in the following years by Innocenzo Cybo (†1640). Teodorina's heirs renounced the patronage of the chapel in 1747. It was bought by a new owner, Lorenzo Soderini in 1821 and restored in 1825 when a dedicatory slab was set in the pavement. At the time the Cybo tombs were removed.

There is a 15th-century wooden crucifix above the main altar in a Corinthian aedicule. The side walls are articulated by painted Corinthian pilasters and the splays of the windows are decorated with monochrome trophies. The archivolt of the entrance arch is decorated with coffers and rosettes. The painted architecture, which is among the finest from the period in Rome, was executed by Pietro Paolo Drei. Two big frescos by a Flemish artist, Pieter van Lint depict scenes from the legend of the True Cross: on the left side the Invention of the True Cross, on the right the Exaltation of the Cross. The gate of Jerusalem on the latter closely resembles the original Porta del Popolo outside of the basilica. The first painting shows the moment when the True Cross was identified: three crosses were found on the site of the Calvary by Saint Helena and the body of a dead man was brought to the place. The True Cross restored the dead to life. The second painting shows Emperor Heraclius when he brought back the cross to Jerusalem in 629. He tried to enter the city carrying the cross but he was stopped until he took off his imperial robes and donned a penitential garb.

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