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

JUDITH AND HOLOFERNES

PENITENT MAGDALENE

VIRGIN AND CHILD

CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS

SOLANGE S. JORGE Z. LENIN D.