The
'fresco by Giotto
in the
Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi is known throughout the world and is one of the most beautiful works of art among those kept in our country. This consideration makes it even more important to the discovery of
Chiara Frugoni, a historian, as well as specialist Franciscan. Ascent to heaven in the
clouds of St. Francis is the devil's nest.
It 'amazing that a
painting that has been there for 800 years and was seen by millions of people from all over the world, as well as by hundreds of scholars is still able to keep secrets. This finding is also changing the holder of a single first, that of the first artist to use the clouds to hide others. The primacy of Mantegna was, but now no doubt be assigned to Giotto. The discovery of the
devil in the clouds, in some ways, revolutionized the history of art.
It must be said that in
medieval times it was not unusual to think of devils and
demons as inhabitants of heaven, from this point of view the representation of
Giotto is not at all strange. Scientists now are questioning the motives that led Giotto to hide this element in his fresco for a place of worship, even then, very important.
This
discovery adds another reason to question the life and works of a saint among the most popular of all mankind. For the
Franciscan fathers is just one more reason to objectify evil in our lives to be able to isolate and avoid. Too bad they can not ask the reason of that Giotto demonic face a few meters from an angel.
The exceptional discovery will push many tourists from all over the world to visit the Umbrian town with a different look to admire the work of Giotto, the happiness of many
hotel in Assisi.
