DONATELLO

Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi, better known as Donatello, was an early Renaissance Italian sculptor from Florence.

-BIRTH DATE
c. 1386
-DEATH DATE
December 12, 1466
-PLACE OF BIRTH
Florence, Italy
-PLACE OF DEATH
Florence, Italy

Sypnosis
Born in Florence, Italy, around 1386, sculptor Donatello apprenticed early with well-known sculptors and quickly learned the Gothic style. Before he was 20, he was receiving commissions for his work. Over his career he developed a style of lifelike, highly emotional sculptures and a reputation second only to Michelangelo's.

EARLY LIFE

• son of Niccolo di Betto Bardi, a member of the Florentine Wool Combers Guild.
• status as the son of a craftsman
• educated at the home of the Martellis
• learned metallurgy, fabrication of metals and other substances.
• received artistic training from a local goldsmith.

...

• Lorenzo Ghiberti
• Years later, bronze.
• Filipo Bruneleschi.

EARLY WORK

• By 1408, Donatello was back in Florence
• marble sculpture David
• Gothic style
• work reflects the influences of sculptors of the time.
• Donatello soon began to develop a style all his own, with figures much more dramatic and emotional

UNIQUE STYLE

• Donatello was gaining a reputation
• style incorporated the new science of perspective
• drew heavily from reality for inspiration in his sculptures
• entered into a partnership with Italian sculptor and architect Michelozzo

GREATEST WORK

• Donatello had nurtured a close and lucrative relationship with Cosimo de’ Medici in Florence
• the eminent art patron commissioned Donatello to do another statue of David
• Standing a little over five feet tall
• David represents an allegory of civic virtue triumphing over brutality and irrationality.
• Donatello was called to the city of Padua

FINAL YEARS

• Donatello had returned to Florence and completed Magdalene Penitent
• the work was probably intended to provide comfort and inspiration to the repentant prostitutes at the convent.
• Donatello continued his work taking on commissions from wealthy patrons of the arts.
• He died of unknown causes on December 13, 1466, in Florence and was buried in the Basilica of San Lorenzo, next to Cosimo de' Medici.
• An unfinished work was faithfully completed by his student Bertoldo di Giovanni.

ART WORKS

DAVID