Donatello

By Patrick Herlihey

Personal Information
Lived from 1386-1466 Born in Florence, Italy His full name as it was known when he was alive is Donato di Niccol di Betto Bardi, but he signed most of his works and was called by those close to him Donatello His father was a wool carder named Niccol di Betto Bardi He grew up around the construction of the Cathedral of Florence, which is what first influenced him towards the arts.

Personal Information
Florence Cathedral

Education
Donatello joined the workshop of Lorenzo Ghiberti, who was a bronze sculptor that was working on the doors of the Florence Cathedral when Donatello joined. Donatellos artistic style was still very much Gothic, however Ghiberti helped Donatello to develop his style into the life like Greco-Roman style of his great works.

Education
Donatello sculpted this crucifix while in the workshop of Ghiberti. Although still basically Gothic in style, Dontatello was accused of crucifying a peasant due to the intense realism used on Christs face. This crucifix was one of the last great works of Donatello in Ghibertis workshop, afterwards he went out into the world by himself.

St. George Killing the Dragon

This was an extremely masterful work, done in a technique called schiacciato. He combined rounded figures with aspects such as landscape and borders. He was refereed to as painting (this work) with a chisel This was a great contribution to the religion based works of the time, telling stories of saints, to be displayed in churches.

World Events
Italy was in the power Most every aspect of of the Roman Catholic life was dominated by Church throughout the Church, you could Donatellos entire life. not produce a piece of art if it ran contrary to Many cities all around the Churchs beliefs. Europe spent great sums of money into constructing cathedrals and furnishing them with great art.

World Events
Donatello lived fully within the Age of Discovery, which was marked by such world events as the opening of Prince Henrys school of navigation. European trade and exploration was beginning to flourish, every European country was sending out explorers to attempt to find new lands to colonize and trade with.

Saint Mark
Constructed in 1411
Marble Height 236 cm Orsanmichele, Florence

The Prophet Jeremiah

Constructed from 1423-1426 Marble Height 191 cm Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence

Christ and doubting Thomas

Constructed from 1476-1483 Bronze Height 230 cm Orsanmichele, Florence

Annunciation
Constructed in 1435 Gilded pietra Serena
218 x 168 cm

Santa Croce, Florence