Lecture: ‘Mea culpa?’ Penitence, Enrico Scrovegni and me, Laura Jacobus, 22 February, 2017, History of Art Department, Birkbeck College

The Arena Chapel in Padua was until very recently thought to have been built as an act of restitution for usury, and its frescoes by Giotto an expression of penitence on the part of the patron Enrico Scrovegni.  That view has now been challenged by Laura Jacobus and others.  But two of her recent discoveries have the potential to reinforce the established view and undermine her own.  What happens when a researcher comes across inconvenient truths, and what is to be done? 

Seminars take place in the History of Art Department at Birkbeck (43, Gordon Sq., London WC1H 0PD) in Room 114 (The Keynes Library) at 5pm.  Talks finish by 5.50pm (allowing those with other commitments to leave) and are then followed by discussion and refreshments.  We hope to see you there.