DONATELLO

EARLY LIFE

• Born in 1386 Florence, Italy
• Spent time learning goldsmithing under Lorenzo Ghiberti
• Travelled to Rome with architect Brunelleschi
• Became independent sculptor in 1406

MIDDLE LIFE

• Began working with Michelozzo in 1429
• Collaborated to design tombs for Pope John XXIII and Cardinal Branachi
• Innovative tomb designs influenced later burial chambers in Florence
• Completed magnificent equestrian sculpture

LATER YEARS

• Spent 1443-1453 in Padua
• Returned to Florence in 1455
• Died on December 13, 1466
• Student Bertoli di Giovanni finished uncompleted works
• Famous for dramatic and emotional style

FAMOUS PIECES

• He sculpted 23 pieces.
• In 1443-1453 he created the equestrian sculpture
• Entitled the Gattamelata
• First important sculptural repetition of the second century.
• Earliest work is a life size Marble David. (1408)

CONTINUED

• Famous for relief sculptures.
• Saint George and the Dragon ( picture)
• Relief sculpture of St. George riding into battle
• First attempt at three dimensional effect on flat surface
• Later developed perfect technique of shiacciato

CONTINUED

• 1455 in Florence
• Haggard but renowned Mary Magdalen
• Later placed in the Baptistery