Question

What are some features of the exterior of the Arena (Scrovegni) Chapel in Padua, Italy during the Late Gothic period in Europe in 1300 C.E.?

1) Austere and humble exterior, typical for Italian Gothic
2) Sumptuous interior with walls covered with frescoes
3) Lavish use of ultramarine blue, especially on the ceiling
4) Most scenes painted in buon fresco (true fresco) with paint applied to wet plaster

Answer 1

The Arena Chapel in Padua has an austere and humble exterior typical of Italian Gothic architecture, contrasting with its sumptuous interior featuring Giotto's frescoes with extensive use of ultramarine blue and buon fresco technique.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Arena (Scrovegni) Chapel in Padua, Italy, is an exemplary representation of Late Gothic architecture with its interior adorned with Giotto’s frescoes that narrate the life of Mary and Christ.

The exterior of the Arena Chapel is known for its austere and humble appearance, a characteristic typical of Italian Gothic architecture during the period around 1300 C.E. Unlike its interior, which is richly covered with Giotto's frescoes, the exterior does not boast the same level of decoration. It presents a rather simple façade that belies the sumptuous interior laden with fresco scenes from Bible stories.

The vast use of ultramarine blue, especially on the ceiling, and the technique of buon fresco, where paint is applied on wet plaster, are notable features of Giotto's work inside the chapel. Although the exterior may not display the opulence seen in the artworks inside, it serves as a prelude to the immense artistic significance held within the walls of this historical religious site.