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Giotto's vision |
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Points of view
Giotto lays out the sequence of the
narration in an elliptic manner - in this way, the episodes from the
Virgin's life culminate at the main arch with Mary's Annunciation,
and Judas' Betrayal closes the stories relating to the childhood of
Christ, and begins the story of the Passion, death and resurrection.
With this layout of the wall paintings, Giotto forces visitors to
make not only a mental effort but also a physical movement. The episodes
from the lives of the Virgin and of Christ follow a narrative sequence
that encourages observers to move their eyes up and down no less than
three times before finally resting their gaze on the altar.
Particular attention was paid to the different types of visitors to
the Chapel. Intended for private use, the Chapel originally had direct
access to the Scrovegni palazzo, and the main door was only opened
once a year to allow the general public in. Coming in through the
side door, one sees the narration from its beginning, with the same
view that Enrico Scrovegni had when he entered his chapel. Today's
visitors enter the Chapel by this very door.
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The Chapel seen through the eyes
of a child entering by the main door
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Giotto's view from
a low platform
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The Chapel seen from
the height of the roof vaulting
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Enrico Scrovegni's view of the Chapel as he entered
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