Laughing with Giotto at Sinners in Hell
Brendan Cassidy
Giotto’s Last Judgment in the Arena chapel Padua, and particularly scene of hell, has tended to be ignored considerable scholarly literature on chapel. Yet, unusual emphases infernal imagery are revealing contemporary attitudes clergy early fourteenth-century as well providing further evidence artist’s acclaimed wit. The author examines Paduan hell-scene detail relates its particulars other visual textual descriptions netherworld ideas hell devil. Although devil inspired fear he was also regarded comic. extravagant slapstick demons fact that his sinners seem not exhibit signs undue suffering might suggest that, part, inferno meant humorous. Not only is there an unusually large number clerics but several punished by genital torture, suggesting they have been guilty sexual sins. Their prominence may explained reference virulent anticlericalism existed late thirteenth fourteenth centuries a result corruption within church. some sinful priests wear black habits, similar those Augustinians, suggests Giotto, consigning them fictive taking revenge Augustinian hermits because complaints had made about size opulence
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