Devil found in detail of Giotto fresco in Italy's Assisi

Reuters – Sat, Nov 5, 2011

http://news.yahoo.com/devil-found-detail-giotto-fresco-italys-assisi-114509111.html





ROME (Reuters) - Art restorers have discovered the figure of a devil hidden in the clouds of one of the most famous frescos by Giotto in the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi, church officials said on Saturday.

The devil was hidden in the details of clouds at the top of fresco number 20 in the cycle of the scenes in the life and death of St Francis painted by Giotto in the 13th century.

The discovery was made by Italian art historian Chiara Frugone. It shows a profile of a figure with a hooked nose, a sly smile, and dark horns hidden among the clouds in the panel of the scene depicting the death of St Francis.

The figure is difficult to see from the floor of the basilica but emerges clearly in close-up photography.

Sergio Fusetti, the chief restorer of the basilica, said Giotto probably never wanted the image of the devil to be a main part of the fresco and may have painted it in among the clouds "to have a bit of fun."

The master may have painted it to spite someone he knew by portraying him as a devil in the painting, Fusetti said on the convent's website.

The artwork in the basilica in the convent where St Francis is buried was last restored after it was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1997.

(Reporting By Philip Pullella; Editing by Sophie Hares

Silkysand,


Thank you for the interesting article!

Several years ago, my wife were on a tour of Rome and we visited the Sistine Chapel. Our guide took great please in pointing out dozens of details of the ceiling and the "Last Judgement" both done by Michelangelo.

On the wall where Michelangelo had painted the "Last Judgement", we were shown the portrait of a "Jackass". It turns out this picture of a "Jackass" was enormously controversial when the Fresco was introduced 500 yeas ago.

One individual (Cesena) was the "Master of Ceremonies" for the Pope. Cesena had been enormously critical of the use of nudes by Michelangelo and attempted to use his influence with the Pope to censor Michelangelos' works.

I suppose you could say that Michelangelo had the final say when he painted Cesena's face onto the picture of the "Jackass". Now for centuries and centuries to come, everyone will know what kind of an tailend "Cesena" had been.

Very interesting I should say. And to think we've seen /heard it all so much to learn still.... very informative.... and your very welcome. Be blessed.