After years of research, I can say that Giotto was inspired by the medieval theater more than by the gospel--both synoptic and apocryphal.
I can explain why we see two newborns in the fresco THE BIRTH of the VIRGIN and why,going in the chronological order of the frescoes, one sees Saint Peter cutting the ear of Malchus even before the latter entered the Garden of Getsemane behind Caiafas.
Absurd!!!
I am Ubaldo DiBenedetto, Ph.D., professor of Italian Art (just retired), Harvard University.
Drop me a note, I will email you more details.
TWO VIRGINS INSTEAD OF ONE Posted by ubaldo DiBenedetto on 31.January 2012, 10:35
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Large size-icon.jpg "Madonna Enthroned (All Saints' Altarpiece) - Giotto Di Bondone - www.giottodibondone.org"){kind=icon}
-1306,-Fresco,-Cappella-Scrovegni-(Arena-Chapel),-Padua-icon.jpg "Last Judgment (detail 2) 1306, Fresco, Cappella Scrovegni (Arena Chapel), Padua - Giotto Di Bondone - www.giottodibondone.org"){kind=icon}
-1306-icon.jpg "Last Judgment (detail 10) 1306 - Giotto Di Bondone - www.giottodibondone.org"){kind=icon}
TWO VIRGINS INSTEAD OF ONE 
