Religious Context Description

RELIGIOUS CONTEXT DESCRIPTION

14th century Italy was intensely religious and superstitious. In the 14th century attending church every day is like going to school for the 21st century. Italians were constantly reminded that their life at the moment determine their place in the afterlife; heaven or hell. There are many ways a person can sin in their life such as: mortal sins- 10 commandments, seven deadly sins and venial sins. Many people were scared of their chances of making heaven. With some people they would build chapels and patron an artwork for the church to increase their chance of being rewarded to go to heaven. They thought if they did this that is would erase the bad deed that they had done. During the Italian renaissance the churches ways had become corrupted where popes as Christ representative on earth had the 'right' in their eyes to sell indulgences to the dying or living therefore reducing time in purgatory, wars between popes and homosexuality. Saint Francis was in the previous century and made a huge impact during the 14th century in paintings by Jesus showing emotion which introduced humanism. Saint Francis lived his life just like Jesus for example suffering, living in brown rags, poverty etc. He want wanted to suffer Just like Jesus as Saint Francis put ash in his food while he ate so he did not enjoy his food. Everyone who knew Saint Francis thought he was the second coming of Jesus as Francis and Jesus both had stigmata's on their palms. His influence towards painting was that Saint Francis introduced humanism in artists painting such as Giotto.

NAME OF PAINTING: THE LAST JUDGEMENT

ARTIST: GIOTTO

The Last Judgement painted by Giotto 1303-6 is situated in the Arena Chapel. Commissioned by Enrico Scrovegni a wealthy merchant which also built a chapel for himself and for his deceased father, Reginaldo, in hoping of atoning for his sins of usury committed by himself and his dead Father to ensure they both will not go to hell. Enrico thought giving large amounts of money to the church would help him and his family from purgatory. Giotto has painted Enrico in the painting where he is kneeling next to an Augustinian monk who is holding the Arena Chapel in his hand. The Virgin Mary (chapel was dedicated to) has her hand extended out towards Enrico showing her acceptance of Enrico Scrovegni's offering. Having Enrico in the painting is also an example of wealthy merchant class staring to rise and wanting to be in art. Jesus is the focal point of the painting and on either side of him displays: left side-hell/evil where people are suffering, Judas and all things that are bad. There are a lot of punishments going on in Giotto's painting which shows his interest in naturalism and human experience, right side-heaven/good where every person has halos on their heads, Mary and Enrico Scrovegni are