The renaissance period does not have a beginning; however, proto-renaissance represents the period that marked the early onset of the era. During this time, Giotto, who is considered the father of Western painting, became famous for his innovation in fresco painting. The most remarkable of his works is found in the painting work that he did in the Arena Chapel.
The Chapel was constructed by Enrico Scrogveni, a rich man during this time (Tomei, 2017). Enrico had the Chapel built to gain redemption of his father, who was accused of the sin of usury during the time when he was alive. Giotto was, therefore, commissioned by Enrico to paint the Arena Chapel. Giotto stepped away from the medieval spiritual painting and brought his innovative aspect of the new style of frescoes.
The frescoes on the walls of the Chapel tell the stories of Christ and the Virgin Mary. Giotto used the frescoes cycle to transmit the narratives of the life of Christ and the Virgin Mary. The technique of using the frescoes to paint the inside walls of the Chapel was a mastermind. The materials used for the fresco cycles were unique, and the paintings had to be completed from top to bottom (Tomei, 2017).
The frescoes were painted on the walls and, thus, are not movable. The fresco cycles are stories moving from one wing of the Chapel to the next in an organized pattern. One of the most outstanding frescoes is the painting where Enrico presents the Arena Chapel to the Virgin Mary. The fresco of Enrico presenting the church is an allusion to the afterlife in which Giotto creates a fantasy story.
In this painting, the remarkable realism of Giotto’s work is showcased. Giotto’s great invention of painting in three dimensions is also depicted in the fresco showing the betrayal of Jesus. From this fresco, one can re-imagine the story of Judas betraying Christ with a kiss.
Reference
Tomei, A. (2017). Giotto’s annunciation to the Virgin in Arena Chapel in Padua between East and West. Journal of Iconographic Studies, 10, 73-82. Web.