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Short Biography profile and facts about the life of the Sculptor Donatello The following biography information provides basic facts and information about the life and history of Donatello a famous Medieval character of the Middle Ages: Nationality: Italian Also Known as : Donato di Niccolo di Betto Bardi Lifespan: 1386 – 1466
Date of Birth: He was born in 1386, the exact date of birth is unknown Family connections : He was the son of Nicolo di Betto Bardi, a wool merchant in Florence Career: Donatello was apprentice to Ghiberti in Florence One of his patrons was Cosimo de Medici. Date of Death: Donatello died on December 13, 1466 Accomplishments or why Donatello was famous: Italian sculptor of the early Renaissance period. The most famous works of art by Donatello include David, Mary Magdalene, Madonna, Salome, Zuccone, St. Mark, St.
John the Evangelist and St. George and the Dragon Donatello was a forerunner of humanistic expression and worked towards creating a system of perspective Donatello produced sculptures in marble, bronze, terracotta and wood Donatello was one of the first Renaissance artists interested in the Classical art and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome and became the first artist of the Renaissance to create a nude statue Donatello invented a technique known as schiacciato, or shallow relief, which achieved effects of spatial depth
Donatello Art and Statuary work The story and biography of Donatello which contains interesting information, facts & the history about the life of this Medieval person of historical importance. Donatello was greatly occupied with statuary work. Statuary was greatly admired by the Romans who created statues commemorating famous people or events. Donatello Art – David by Donatello The David by Donatello in Museo Nazionale del Bargello. Florence. The height of the bronze statue of David by Donatello is 158 cm.
David was the chosen subject of the statue as he had become a symbol of the Florentine Republic. In the statue of David by Donatello David wears a crown of leaves, reminiscent of the Roman heroes of antiquity reflecting the interest that Donatello had in classical art. Donatello Art – Mary Magdalene by DonatelloThe location of this statue of Mary Magdalene by Donatello is at Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, Florence. The Mary Magdalene statue stands 6 foot two inches and was sculpted in wood with gold.
The statue of Mary Magdalene was sculpted by Donatello between 1454 and 1455. Donatello Art – Madonna or Virgin by DonatelloThe Madonna or Virgin by Donatello is a relief also known as the Madonna delle Nuvole (Madonna of the Clouds). Donatello also sculpted the Borromeo Madonna around 1450 in terracotta. The Borromeo Madonna depicts a half length Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus Donatello , c. 1386-1466, Italian sculptor, major innovator in Renaissance art, b. Florence. His full name was Donato di Niccolo di Betto Bardi.
In his formative years he assisted Ghiberti in Florence with the bronze doors for the baptistery. By 1406 he had begun to work on the cathedral. His marble David (Bargello, Florence) still echoed the Gothic form, but his St. Mark (Orsanmichele, Florence) and St. John the Evangelist (cathedral mus. , Florence) mark a turning point toward a new humanistic expression. His St. George (now in the Bargello) is a striking portrayal of ideal youth. Even more important is the accompanying scene, St. George and the Dragon (c. 416), a pioneering attempt to work out a system of perspective. During the next decade, he worked on the famous scene Salome for the Siena baptistery, which he completed in 1427. He invented a technique known as schiacciato (shallow relief), in which he ingeniously achieved effects of spatial depth. During that period he carved several prophets for the Florentine Campanile, including the Zuccone (Baldhead), a vibrant characterization. In 1430-32, he went to Rome with Brunelleschi and became one of the first Renaissance artists interested in ancient monuments.
Reflections of classical putti (male infants) can be found in his rendering of the lively cherubs in the Singing Gallery (1433-38, cathedral mus. ) and in the pulpit at Prato. Classical influence is also evident in his bronze David (c. 1432, Bargello), one of the earliest freestanding nude figures of the Renaissance. In demand throughout Italy, Donatello was invited to Padua in 1443, where he stayed for 10 years as the head of an enormous workshop. He designed the equestrian statue of Gattamelata (1447-53) and the high altar for Sant’ Antonio (1446-50).
Upon his return to Florence, he carved the acutely expressive Magdalen (c. 1460? , baptistery), which was greatly damaged by the flood of 1966. In his last years he worked on the pulpits of San Lorenzo, creating a magnificent series of reliefs. He was one of the most influential painters and sculptors of his time. Most of his works have remained in Florence, but a good representation can be seen in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. Two examples of his work can be found in American collections, an unfinished David (National Gall. of Art, Washington, D. C. ) and the Shaw Madonna (Boston Mus. ).