Final answer:
Giotto's 'Lamentation' fresco in the Arena Chapel depicts the sorrowful scene after Christ's crucifixion, as his body is mourned by his followers. It is notable for its emotional depth and naturalistic setting, marking a move away from Byzantine art and towards the human-focused art of the Renaissance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main subject of Giotto di Bondone's fresco painting 'Lamentation' in the Arena (Scrovegni) Chapel is the moment after the Crucifixion where the body of Christ has been taken down from the cross and is mourned by his followers, including the Mary and John the Evangelist.
This fresco is highly significant in art history for its emotional expression and use of a naturalistic landscape to amplify the drama of the scene. It represents a shift from the gold backgrounds common in Byzantine art to more naturalistic settings and foreshadows the humanistic focus of Renaissance Italy.
In 'Lamentation', Giotto used the landscape to enhance the narrative, with the hills drawing the viewer's eyes towards the mourners at the center. The figures themselves display a range of emotions, which invites the viewer to engage with the image on an emotional level, a hallmark of Giotto's work and a significant departure from medieval styles of spiritual representation.