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The Lamentation Scene

• The Lamentation depicts the aftermath of Christ's crucifixion, emphasizing the mourning of Christ's mother, Mary, and his followers.

• The term "lamentation" derives from the act of lamenting or grieving, indicating the deep sorrow within this scene.

• Visual Impact:

  • Mary is shown holding her dead son, creating a stark contrast to the tenderness illustrated in the Nativity scene where she cradles her infant.

  • The representation of Christ as physically dead highlights his humanity, a modern artistic approach introduced by Giotto.

Composition and Symbolism

• Giotto simplifies the background to draw attention to the figures of Christ and Mary, moving Christ to the left rather than placing him at the center.

• The rocky hill in the landscape guides the viewer's eye down towards the figures of Mary and Christ, emphasizing their connection.

• A dead-looking tree at the top serves as an analogy for Christ's resurrection, suggesting potential new life akin to springtime renewal.

Mary’s Posture and Expression

• Mary's posture, raising her right knee to support Christ and leaning forward, conveys her pleading desperation for him to awaken, underscoring her emotional turmoil.

• Her arms embrace Christ tenderly, showcasing an intimate relationship of a mother grieving for her son.

• This physical connection adds to the emotional depth experienced by the viewer.

Presence of Other Figures

• Mary Magdalene is depicted at Christ’s feet, recognized for her red hair and intended role from biblical accounts where she anoints Christ’s feet, adding to the scene's emotional weight.

• Unconventional Representation:

  • Giotto portrays figures with their backs to the viewer, emphasizing the main figures of Mary and Christ while providing spatial depth.

  • This approach enhances viewer engagement, as they "witness" the grief surrounding Christ.

Emotional Expression in Characters

• Individuality in Grief:

  • Each figure displays distinct ways of expressing sorrow—some display withdrawn sadness, while others exhibit more overt expressions.

  • The foot placements and stances of figures illustrate weight and gravity, contrasting with the traditional medieval portrayal of floating figures.

• The ground beneath the figures connects them to the physical realm, rooting them while visually guiding the viewer’s attention down to Christ's body.

Transition to Resurrection

• The landscape’s progression from the Lamentation to the resurrection scene of Mary Magdalene reinforces a visual relationship between death and resurrection.

• Giotto captures this continuity through the use of the same mountainous backdrop leading to Christ's resurrection.

Intertextuality with Other Biblical Scenes

• Giotto includes a visual reference to the story of Jonah and the whale in an inset quatrefoil, paralleling the Old Testament with the New Testament.

  • Jonah's experience of being swallowed by a giant fish symbolizes betrayal and forgiveness, reminiscent of Christ’s own journey through death and resurrection.

• This interplay of biblical narratives showcases the art of the late medieval period transitioning towards the Renaissance, marked by emotional depth and connectivity of themes.