38 and 39. The _Ascension_, and the _Descent of the Holy Spirit_.--The former of these two frescoes, which form the concluding ones of the series, is very formal in its arrangement--the Christ being in the centre of the picture, with hands raised to the choir of angels, who hover on both sides. Below, the disciples are also in two groups, nor is there very much to dwell upon in their expression or gestures. The whole fresco seems as if Giotto had felt himself more fettered by the traditional manner of representing the scene, or less at liberty to treat it in his own peculiar fashion, than in the preceding scenes of the series. The _Descent of the Holy Spirit_ is very similar in the arrangement of the seated figures to that of the _Last Supper_, and is only remarkable for its very delicate colouring.
[Illustration: "NOLI ME TANGERE." _FRESCO BY GIOTTO._ IN THE CAPPELLA DELL' ARENA, PADUA.]
This picture of the _Descent of the Holy Spirit_ completes the series of the history of the Virgin and our Saviour, and we have only now to mention the symbolical figures in monochrome, which are painted at intervals beneath the lowest row of frescoes, and which it is probable were an after thought of Giotto's, possibly suggested to him by Dante, who, as I have said, was living at Padua during the time when Giotto was occupied in painting the Arena Chapel.
Be that as it may, it is the fact that in no other place does Giotto show much tendency towards symbolical representation; these are the only figures of the kind that we know to have been executed by his hand. In this arrangement all the Virtues are painted upon the right side of the chapel, and have their faces turned to the heavenly side of the great fresco above the door; the Vices are on the left, and look in like manner to the part of that fresco representing hell. The list is as follows:--
1. Hope. 2. Charity. 3. Faith. 4. Justice. 5. Temperance. 6. Fortitude. 7. Prudence.
8. Folly. 9. Inconstancy. 10. Anger. 11. Injustice. 12. Infidelity. 13. Avarice. 14. Despair.
This list is in the order in which the frescoes are placed round the chapel, beginning on the right hand of the doorway and returning to the left of the entrance; it will be seen, therefore, that the corresponding Virtue and Vice face each other throughout the series.