Lamentation, Proto-Renaissance fresco in Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy
Lamentation is a fresco in the Scrovegni Chapel depicting Christ's body surrounded by grieving figures against a mountain landscape. The work covers a substantial section of wall and is one of many religious scenes adorning the chapel's interior.
The fresco was painted by Giotto in 1305 as part of a larger cycle for the Scrovegni family's private chapel. This work represents one of the earliest examples of a new painting style that would later shape European art.
The grieving figures gathered around Christ's body display gestures that reveal a new way of showing human emotion in painting. These emotional expressions and the spatial arrangement of people mark a turning point in how sorrow could be depicted in art.
The fresco is located on the north wall of the chapel and is best viewed in the morning when fewer visitors are present. Advance booking is necessary to gain access, as visitor numbers are limited to protect the delicate artwork.
The fresco features ten angels in the sky, each expressing a different emotional state, with some pulling their hair and others covering their faces. This portrayal of sorrow through heavenly beings adds an extra spiritual dimension to the scene.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
