Tags
1400s, 15th Century, art, Artists, Donatello, Florence, Italy, Religious, Renaissance, Sculptors, Sculptures
Name: Donatello
Work: Sculptor
Born: 1386
Died: 1466
Hometown: Florence, Italy
Period: Early Renaissance
Influences: Lorenzo Ghiberti (his tutor), Filippo Brunelleschi (his friend)
What I have learnt about his work:
Donatello was a master of marble and bronze, second only to Michelangelo. He initially worked in the Gothic style but was greatly influenced by the pure forms of classical sculpture and architecture during a trip to Rome with Brunelleschi. He developed his own unique style with great emphasis on emotion and realism, creating widely acclaimed dramatic and imposing sculptures. His Equestrian statue of Gattamelata is the influence of most equestrian monuments we see today. He also created many reliefs (sculptures against a flat background) which were the first to use central point perspective. These reliefs were in his unique ‘schiacciato’ style – incredibly shallow, relying on perspective and light to create the full picture.
David, Donatello – bronze
1430-1432
Bargello Museum, Florence
The bronze David is one of Donatello’s most famous sculptures, and represents the boy David who defeated Goliath. It was the first large free-standing nude statue of the Renaissance period, clearly influenced by the sculptures of classical Rome. The figure has a sense of poise and elegance, and a certain femininity, portraying a somewhat tranquil emotion and perhaps encouraging a reverent feeling of contemplation from the viewer over David’s great victory.