This is the second part of our trip to Padua: The Scuola Del Santo.
After the Gattamelata statue, we visited the Scoletta, the current seat of the Archconfraternity of Saint Anthony of Padua. This historic building is filled with famous artworks, sprawling gardens, meeting rooms, and altars. After buying tickets for 5 euros each, we were let into the building. After climbing a few flights of stairs and entering through a glass door, we arrived in the meeting room.
Every wall inside was covered, almost floor-to-ceiling, with frescos detailing the many miracles of Saint Anthony. Many famous artists worked on different episodes here, including Titian and his brother Francesco. Some in different styles and different color atmospheres, the paintings feel oddly discordant while still being narratively cohesive. Of course, the room was populated by pews and chairs, all facing the altar and the crucifix opposite the entry door.
Please see the gallery below for some of our pictures!
1 Comment
Joe Turner · July 10, 2024 at 7:12 pm
Wonderful narrative. I assume the paintings were wall size. Were they part of the artwork you assigned to document. What is the likelihood that the flooding will reach and destroy them? Will there be efforts to move the paintings?