Donatello
The Great Florentine sculptor.

 Born in 1386 Donatello was the greatest Florentine sculptor of his age,and had worked in the studio of Lorenzo Ghiberti.

 In his early years he worked in Rome with Fillipo Brunelleschi, escavating and studying in the ancient city. The lessons that these two artistic giants learned in Rome became important for the future development of Italian art.

 Ghiberti is famous for winning the competition to design the doors for the Baptistery in Florence. The artist assisted Gilberti with some of the work on these doors and had also received artistic training in a goldsmith's workshop. In fact Donatello had earned a living during his time in Rome by working in goldsmiths shops.

 The statue of St George, made in about 1420, is one of the most important works in his development. In this work the sculptor had broken with the Gothic style of statues and their solemn rows of saints. St George is totally real, steadfast, and determined in his defiance of any enemy that may approach.

"St George"
1415-16 marble hight 209 cm. (W)

 The figures of St George, St Mark and St Louis of Toulouse, were commissioned by the various wealthy Florentine guilds, to fill the niches around the church of Orsanmichele in Florence.

 The statue of Zuccone was created for the decoration of Florence Cathedral. There is a famous story that Donatello kept saying 'speak, speak' as he sculptured it.

 The Annunciation c.1433                                    

 The statue of St Louis was Donatello's first experiment in bronze casting. It was a great success, St Louis is portraid as a bishop with the  flowing garments of his rank adding to the solidity of the figure.  

 The artist achieved great fame in his own lifetime and was often called upon to work for other Italian cities. In 1427 he was commissioned to make a bronze relief for a font at Sienna. His subject was "The Feast of Herod" a scene from the life of St John the Baptist.

 This work shows the moment when Salome asks Herod for the head of John as a reward for her dancing, and gets it. The executioner kneels carrying the head of the saint on a platter and the King recoils in horror.

"The Feast of Herod"
1423-7 gilt bronze 60x60 cm (S)

 In 1443 the sculptor was in Padua and executed his statue of Erasmo on horseback, better known as "Gattamelata" ( the honey cat ).  Erasmo of Narni was a famous mercanary soldier who fought for many Italian city-states. He became dictator of the city of Padua in 1437 and died the same year that Donatello completed this work. 

 The Gattamelata was the first equestrian statue to adhorn a public place since ancient times and it became the model for future equestrian statues throught much of Europe.

"Gattamelata" (W)

 The sculpor's statue of David made in the 1440s was the first male nude statue since classical times, it was also the first freestanding work to be cast in bronze of the Italian Renaissance.

 It is interesting to note that the influences of renaissance sculpture have evolved into the modern day forms that we admire today.
One example is the work of Dr Jan Maureen White, view her sculptures and paintings on her excellent website. 

"David" (s) 

Personal opinion:-

 This is a strange pose for a man/woman! The statue looks very effeminate and has an almost comical quality. Has the young male/female wondered into a theatrical cloakroom and dressed themselves in whatever was available?

 However the carving of the figure is wonderful and Donatello has attempted to capture a prepubescent youth who is yet to mature into adulthood.

 Click on the picture to go to the "Three Davids" page and compare the statues.

 Donatello died 1466 and was buried in the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence.

Italian Renaissance Art- Home Page