Franciscan 1330 Fresco Lower Church, San Francesco, Assisi In a well-fortified castle, Chastity rules: only angels can enter here. In order to reach her, a long path must be followed. The representatives of the three divisions of the Franciscan order (a lay brother, a Franciscan and aClare) have climbed the hill. They too, as the middle scene shows, will be washed and dressed by angels. On the other side the extremely vivid and bizarre figures of demons are being cast into the abyss. They are Unchasteness (Immunditia) with the boar's head, Burning Desire (Ardor) with the flaming head, and Love (Amor) with the clawed feet and the hearts tied around him. The round is completed by the spider-legged, devilish Death (Mors). Artist: GIOTTO di Bondone Painting Title: Franciscan Allegories: Allegory of Chastity , 1301-1350 Painting Style: Italian , , religious
Birth of Jesus 1304-06 Fresco, 200 x 185 cm Cappella Scrovegni (Arena Chapel), Padua The simple shelter under which the Virgin and her Child seek refuge is situated in the middle of a bleak rocky landscape. Mary turns on her side on the bed in order to receive the new-born baby from the arms of a midwife ?a natural and spontaneous gesture, which is captured by the way mother and child look at one another. Although on the periphery, this exchange of glances seems to be the actual centre of the portrayal, which is expanded to include the scene of the Annunciation to the shepherds. Artist: GIOTTO di Bondone Painting Title: No. 17 Scenes from the Life of Christ: 1. Nativity: Birth of Jesus , 1301-1350 Painting Style: Italian , , religious
Flight into Egypt 1304-06 Fresco, 200 x 185 cm Cappella Scrovegni (Arena Chapel), Padua On a narrow rocky path, the procession seems to move past the viewer. Equipped with everyday objects, everyone is in motion, looking at one another and talking to one another - only the Virgin Mary sits still and unmoving. The statuesque nature other upright position is further reinforced by the rock behind. Although the child is as natural as can be, the central figures in the picture thus stand out from their surroundings and have a sublime effect. Artist: GIOTTO di Bondone Painting Title: No. 20 Scenes from the Life of Christ: 4. Flight into Egypt , 1301-1350 Painting Style: Italian , , religious
Massacre of the Innocents 1304-06 Fresco, 200 x 185 cm Cappella Scrovegni (Arena Chapel), Padua A great number of slaughtered children lie on the ground. A soldier stands over the corpses and, at the command of King Herod (who appears in the painting himself), snatches a baby boy from his mother. The women scream, weep and try to protect their children. The men on the other side turn away, crushed and ashamed. Artist: GIOTTO di Bondone Painting Title: No. 21 Scenes from the Life of Christ: 5. Massacre of the Innocents , 1301-1350 Painting Style: Italian , , religious