Donatello

Florence - David by Donatello

Cinq maîtres de la Renaissance florentine, Giotto, Uccello, Donatello, Manetti, Brunelleschi - Musée du Louvre Peintures INV 267 - avec cadre

02 Natività2

Donatello, Young Prophet, c1406, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence

Donatello, san giovanni evangelista, 1409-1415, 01

Donatello (c. 1386 – December 13, 1466) was an Italian sculptor of the Renaissance period. Born in Florence, he was one of the foremost sculptors of his time and is credited with developing a more naturalistic approach to sculpture. His works are considered pivotal in the evolution of Italian art, moving away from the Gothic style to that which characterizes the Renaissance.

Early Life and Training

Donatello, born Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi, showed an early interest in the arts and was apprenticed to a goldsmith. He also received training in the workshop of Lorenzo Ghiberti, a prominent Florentine sculptor. During this period, Donatello was exposed to the classical art and architecture that influenced much of his later work.

Career and Works

Donatello's career spanned over six decades, during which he created numerous masterpieces. His early works, such as the marble David (1408-1409), showcase his mastery of Gothic traditions. However, it was his later works, including the bronze David (circa 1440s), that fully reflected his innovative approach to depicting the human figure with realism and emotion.

One of Donatello's most famous works is the Gattamelata (1453), a bronze equestrian statue in Padua, which was the first of its kind since the ancient Roman era. This statue not only demonstrated Donatello's skill in working with bronze but also his ability to capture the dignity and authority of its subject.

Another significant contribution was his work on the Cantoria, or the Singing Gallery, for the Florence Cathedral. This work displayed an array of lively, sculpted children and was a testament to his ability to portray movement and emotion.

Artistic Influence and Legacy

Donatello's influence on Renaissance sculpture cannot be overstated. His innovative use of perspective and his studies of classical antiquity helped to guide the artistic transition from the medieval to the Renaissance period. His techniques and styles were studied and emulated by later artists, including Michelangelo.

Donatello's legacy is also evident in his contributions to the development of relief sculpture, particularly his work with schiacciato (a very low relief), which allowed for more subtle gradations of depth than had previously been possible.

Death and Recognition

Donatello died in Florence in 1466 and was buried in the Basilica of San Lorenzo, next to his patron, Cosimo de' Medici. His death marked the end of an era in Florentine sculpture, but his influence persisted, shaping the future of Renaissance art.

Conclusion

Donatello was a pioneer in the truest sense, whose innovative techniques and expressive works laid the groundwork for the Renaissance movement in sculpture. His ability to imbue his figures with a sense of individuality and emotion marked a departure from the more rigid and stylized forms of the past, making him a key figure in the history of art.