Page 162 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

160  NOR THEAST IT AL Y

Padua: Cappella degli Scrovegni

Enrico Scrovegni built this chapel in 1303, The Nativity
hoping thereby to spare his dead father, a The naturalism
of the Virgin’s pose
usurer, from the eternal damnation in hell marks a departure
described by the poet Dante in his Inferno. from Byzantine
The interior of the chapel is entirely covered stylization, as
with beautiful frescoes of scenes from the does the use of
natural blue for
life of Christ, painted by Giotto between the sky, in place
1303 and 1305. As works of great narrative of celestial gold.
force, they exerted a powerful influence
on the development of European art.

Expulsion of the Merchants
Christ’s physical rage, the cowering
merchant and the child hiding his face
show an animation that is characteristic
of Giotto’s style.

The Coretti
Giotto painted the
two panels known
as the Coretti
as an exercise
in perspective,
creating the
illusion of an
arch with a
room beyond.

View towards altar

West entrance North side Altar South side West entrance
Gallery Guide Key
Due to the Cappella degli Scrovegni’s small size, the number of Episodes of Joachim and Anna
visitors allowed in at any one time is strictly limited. Prior to entering, Episodes from the Life of Mary
visitors are required to spend 15 minutes in a decontamination Episodes from the Life and
chamber, where multimedia and multilingual information on the Death of Christ
chapel is provided. The visit itself is also restricted to 15 minutes. The Virtues and Vices
Advance booking is compulsory, either by phone (049 201 00 20) or
online (www.cappelladegliscrovegni.it), with a credit card payment. The Last Judgment
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp562–5 and pp580–84

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