CHAPEL OF THE MAGI
It is the only one that still preserves the original decoration. The chapel of the Magi, the fourth on the left, has managed to preserve everything that has characterized it since the beginning of the fifteenth century, when it was built. Inside you can find frescoes, statuettes and the tombstone of Bartolomeo Bolognini, a rich silk merchant to whom the chapel was previously dedicated.
Among the most important authors who have worked in this space are Jacopo di Paolo and Giovanni da Modena. The first one painted the wooden polyptych sculpted by an unknown artist, called “Maestro di S. Petronio”, and he designed the large windows, which were then restored twice. On the other hand, between 1408 and 1420, Giovanni da Modena dealt with frescoes along the walls, including those depicting the Three Wise Men on their journey to Bethlehem, on the righ side of the chapel. There you can admire some biblical scenes, such as the stop at the palace of Herod, the sighting of the comet and the gift offering to Jesus.
The episcopal consecration of San Petronio is located in the lunette of the back wall, while on the sides of the large window there are scenes of life of the patron saint of Bologna. All these frescoes represent the greatest example of late Gothic painting in Bologna and among the most significant in the Region.