This fresco, (1427-28), is one of the first and most famous examples of perspective shown in Renaissance painting.
Masaccio painted the fresco on the left wall of the nave, about 3 bays from the entrance of Sta. Maria Novella.

The fresco's perspective shows a chapel that almost appears to be an architectural element of the church,
It shows a classical triumphal arch enclosing God the Father, the Holy Spirit as a dove, and Jesus on the Cross
supported by the hands of God.
On ether side are the Virgin and St. John the Evangelist, and below that and off to the side, out of the "Holy area"
are the figures of the fresco's patrons, a husband and wife whose names have not been securely documented.

Massacio died in 1428 at the very young aage of 27, The "Holy Trinity Fresco", is considered one of his most important works.

Just below the fresco is a tomb showing a skeleton, with the inscription in Latin
"IO FU[I] G[I]A QUEL CHE VOI S[I]ETE E QUEL CH['] I[O] SONO VO[I] A[N]C[OR] SARETE"
translated : "I once was what you are and what I am you will soon be".
This "memento mori " serves as a reminder of our own mortality.