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What stories are shown in Giotto’s Arena Chapel fresco cycle?
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Giotto
Lamentation, fresco by Giotto, 1303–05; in the Arena Chapel, Padua, Italy.
Giotto’s fresco cycle in the Arena Chapel (also known as the Scrovegni Chapel) in Padua is organized into three narrative tiers that depict the following stories:
- Lives of Saints Joachim and Anne: The top register focuses on the parents of the Virgin Mary, including episodes such as The Vision of Joachim and The Meeting at the Golden Gate.123
- Life of the Virgin: The cycle continues with narratives surrounding the life of the Virgin Mary, including The Presentation of the Virgin at the Temple.123
- Life and Passion of Christ: The lower two registers narrate the life, ministry, and death of Jesus, featuring scenes such as the Nativity, Adoration of the Magi, Entry into Jerusalem, The Betrayal of Christ (or Arrest of Christ), Lamentation, and Noli me tangere.123
- Conclusion: The narrative cycle concludes with the Pentecost.13
Additionally, the west wall features a large Last Judgment, while a fourth band below the narrative tiers contains monochrome personifications of the Virtues and Vices.13