Enchanting Padua and Its Scrovegni Chapel
The spectacular vault and depiction of the Final Judgement of the Scrovegni Chapel
When most people consider the treasures of Veneto, the innumerable wonders of Venice come instantly to mind. To the well-traveled voyager, if asked what the single most spectacular monument to the region’s remarkable past is, I’m wagering they would nominate Padua’s incomparable Scrovegni Chapel.
Commissioned to help atone for the Scrovegni family’s usurious money lending practices, the Florentine Giotto di Bondone, at the age of 35 and with a team of assistants, completed the 38 frescoes of the chapel in 200 days between 1303 and 1305. Focusing his work on the story of man’s redemption through the depiction of the lives of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, Giotto painted in a style that has led many to refer to him as the first master of Renaissance art. Although his works are present throughout Italy, his masterpieces on the walls of the Scrovegni Chapel are the best-preserved.
Giotto’s work is often described as the door through which the Renaissance entered the artistic scene. The stylized, elongated figures of the Byzantine period are gone and multi-dimensional individuals with authentic faces, full of honest emotion and mannerisms, sporting naturally flowing clothing emerge. He chose a color scheme that set him apart from his fellow painters. Instead of retaining the golds and greys that had been the long-standing favorites of Christian imagery, he opted for the blues and other hues that were more true to life. Although contemporaries, a comparison of Duccio di Buoninsegna’s The Nativity (1308-1311), on the left, with that of Giotto’s Nativity (1303-1305), on the right, vividly demonstrates these differences. Duccio still retains the Byzantine style of Medieval arts while Giotto shows the newly emerging introduction of visual perspective and transition to more natural colors.
The frescoes are divided into sections that depict the story of Mary’s parents, Anne and Joachim; the life of Mary; the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus; the Allegories of the Virtues and Vices and lastly, the Final Judgment. Pictured here, are Jesus’ last days from the Last Supper, through betrayal and crucifixion to his death.
Over 300,000 visitors frequent the Scrovegni Chapel each year. Open every day except for January 1, May 1, and December 25-26, entrance is tightly regulated and advanced booking is required. Prior to entering the chapel, visitors sit through a 15 minute video presentation in a climate-controlled room while their body humidity is lowered and dust is filtered away. After this is done, the 25 person group is led into the chapel for a 15 minute visit.
While the Scrovegni Chapel is not on either of our regular tours of Veneto, if given advance notice, we can look to include a visit to this magnificent treasure on our Cities of Art - Venice and Beyond Tour or one of our specially-designed Custom Tours.
Aside from the chapel, there is a rich variety of other sites to experience in Padua. Next door, at the Eremitani Museum, visitors can immerse themselves in Italy of the 13th century by journeying through the seven workstations that utilize vibrant reconstructions to bring alive the time of Giotto and his work.
Church of the Eremitani, Padua
Not far from there, the Orto Botanico, the oldest botanical garden in the world is still in its original location. Not to be missed is the Basilica of St. Anthony, with its Byzantine-style architecture and a fine collection of artwork. Farther on you can delight in the Prato della Valle (also seen on the Home page), the largest square in Italy and home to a fine collection of statues.
Within easy reach are the 18th-century Caffe Pedrocchi, a traditional gathering spot of famous artists; Donatello’s “Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata” and the 10th-century Benedictine Abbey of Santa Giustina. Padua is featured on the Cities of Art - Venice and Beyond Tour so be sure to go there to see what other discoveries await you.
