In an act of seeming hypocrisy, the Scrovegni family built the lavish Arena Chapel and commissioned Giotto to decorate it as penance for their usurious practices, which gained one of their members (Reginaldo) placement in Dante’s seventh level of his

Inferno. Suggest whether the Scrovegnis’ act of “penance” was likely acceptable in this era, and then take a position on whether context and intention should make a difference in how we understand and judge a work of art.

Please provide the best answer for the statement.

1. Although the Scrovegnis’ act of “penance” might have received some criticism, it likely fell within acceptable conventional standards for virtuous behavior in an age of indulgences.
2. On the second part of the question, students’ responses will vary. Does knowing its origins affect how we appreciate the chapel? Does knowing that our favorite actor or singer engages in reprehensible conduct offstage affect our appreciation of his or her work?