Scrovegni's In The Final Judgement

The Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, also known as the Arena Chapel, was completed in 1305. The inside of the chapel is decorated with frescoes that were painted by Giotto, an italian painter from Florence. These frescoes illustrate some scenes from the lives of Mary, her parents, Anna and Joaquim, and Christ. Allegorical figures of virtues and their opposing vices and a scene of the final judgement are also portrayed in the frescoes that decorate the chapel. The patron of the chapel, Enrico Scrovegni, dedicated the chapel to the virgin of Charity as penance. The frescoes throughout the chapel work to illustrate a story of the struggle of good against evil, polarizing the two concepts to convey their difference. Overall the chapel and the frescoes …show more content…
On March 25, which is the feast of Annunciation, sunlight enters the building through the window on the entrance wall. It lights up the Final Judgement, especially the area between Scrovegni and the model of the chapel, showing a divine sign of approval for Scrovegni’s gift. Scrovegni’s offering was made with the intention of obtaining absolution for his sin of usury and through the different frescoes in the chapel clear cut differences between the properties of good and evil are depicted. In the final painting, the Final Judgement, the consequences of choosing one path over the other are shown. If you have chosen a life of sin, then you will find yourself suffering in hell for the rest of eternity. Choosing a life of virtues by following the catholic church’s moral code will result in a glorious eternal life. Although, Scrovegni chose a life of sin, like the individuals to the left of Christ in the Final Judgement painting, he no longer wishes to continue on the path of evil. He seeks forgiveness and to make amends for his erroneous and sinful ways. The Virgin Mary’s acceptance of his gift indicates the end of his quest for forgiveness and the beginning of his path to