A History of European Art

This scene is followed by the Wedding Procession (badly damaged), which
concludes the early life of the Virgin. The Annunciation follows and is, of
course, a more famous Annunciation than the one to Mary’s mother, Anne.
This Annunciation doesn’t have to do with barrenness but with sworn
virginity and an even more miraculous conception and birth—the Incarnation
of Christ at the moment of the Annunciation.

In our next lecture, we will continue our exploration of Giotto’s Arena Chapel
frescoes, this time with the life of Christ, in which Giotto’s interpretations of
the subjects seem to grow both more human and more spiritual. Ŷ

Giotto:

Annunciation to St. Anne, Joachim’s Sacri¿ ce, Joachim’s Dream,

Meeting at the Golden Gate, The Suitors Presenting Their Rods, The

Suitors’ Prayer before the Rods, The Marriage of the Virgin, and The

Annunciation, c. 1305, fresco, overall: 69’ L x 26’ W x 43’ H, Scrovegni

(Arena) Chapel, Padua, Italy.

Giovanni Pisano:

Madonna and Child, c. 1305, Scrovegni (Arena) Chapel, Padua, Italy.

Basile, Giotto.

Stubblebine, ed., Giotto.

1. Why did Giotto use fresco in the Arena Chapel? What are the advantages
   and disadvantages of the medium of fresco?


2. How are the various depictions in Giotto’s fresco cycle blended together
   but kept as distinct, separate scenes?

Works Discussed

Suggested Reading

Questions to Consider