By:May Watts
The beginnings of an Artist
• Donatello was learning the art of the sculpture in Florence when he was only 14
years old.
• Soon a famous gold smith, known as Lorenzo Ghiberti, took him as an apprentice.
He was taught how to work with bronze.
• Cosimo de'Medici and Donatello became close over the years, and in 1419 he
actually nominated Donatello to sculpt a tomb for Baldassare
Statue of St. George
This statue was a piece that was
commissioned for the Armorer’s
guild.
It represents their patron saint.
The art work has been remade and
replaced over the years, though
Donatello was the first person to
design the statue.
**Note- This is a copy of the original statue by Donatello.
Oh how strange…
•
Despite the fact that his sculptures were simply amazing, Donatello was anything but popular.
•
He was obviously obsessive over his work. Rather than selling his work to ignorant clients, he
would smash his work to pieces.
•
Donatello created the first full life sized nude statue, called “David”. The Medici put the statue in
their Palace’s courtyard for all to see.
•
Apparently He had a very strong connection with the Medici.
Donatello's equestrian
statue of Gattamelata
This statue ended up being
the model for many heroic
statues that followed.
It is believed that either
the statue of Marucus
Aurelius or the Greek
horses that rest atop the
Church of St Mark’s
inspired this work of art.
Not all things end,
but most do.
• The most vivid piece of work that Donatello made came
near the end of his career.
• The statue was known as the “Penitent Mary
Magdalene”, and it has been described as horrid,
terrifying, and all out creepy. ( s e r i o u s l y i t ’ s t h a t w e i r d … )
• After many years of hard work, and only ten years after
his greatest work, Donatello died.
Tomb of Antipope John
XXIII
Donatello worked with Michelozzo on
this Papal tomb.
This was the last Papal tomb
constructed outside of Rome.
Works cited
•
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http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/d/donatell/2_mature/padova/3gatta_1.html
www.wikipedia.com
www.About.com
http://www.pbs.org/empires/medici/renaissance/index.html