FA 30b Lecture 2: Early Renaissance Sculpture and Architecture Lecture Notes
11 Feb 2017
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Giotto"s pact of judas and visitation is below the annunciation. The two juxtapose each other as money"s corruption and downfall (especially usury) contrasts miraculous conception. Scrovegni"s family was guilty of the sin of usury (charging interest on loans). Giotto"s lamentation depicts an extremely expressive moment when mary cradles the dead. Christ in her arms as the onlookers surround him. John the apostle"s grief is noted by his outstretched arms. Giotto"s last judgment depicts what is considered to be a transitional moment between life and heaven or hell. Christ"s right hand signifies heaven, while the left consigns the damned to hell. The bottom corner to christ"s left depicts the sinful being tortured graphically as they are being consumed by a monstrous beast. On the blessed side near the center, scrovegni is depicted giving the angels a chapel (arena chapel). Duccio"s maest altarpiece depicts the madonna and child enthroned. A court of saints and angels surrounds mary.
