# Donatello

> Early Renaissance Italian sculptor (1386–1466)

**Wikidata**: [Q37562](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q37562)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatello)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/donatello

## Summary
Donatello (1386–1466), born Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi, was a pioneering Italian sculptor of the Early Renaissance who revolutionized the art of sculpture in three dimensions. Active from 1404 until his death in 1466, he is renowned for creating iconic works such as the bronze *David*, the *Equestrian statue of Gattamelata*, and numerous religious reliefs and statues for cathedrals across Florence, Siena, and Venice. His career, often associated with contemporaries like Lorenzo Ghiberti and Michelozzo, established him as a central figure in the development of Renaissance art.

## Biography
- **Born**: 1386 (specific date and place not provided in source material)
- **Nationality**: Italian (citizenship of the Republic of Florence and Italy)
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Sculpture, specifically religious art, equestrian portraits, and mythological themes
- **Employer(s)**: Republic of Florence; Collaborated with Lorenzo Ghiberti and Michelozzo
- **Field(s)**: Art of sculpture, religious art, portrait, equestrian portrait, mythological painting

## Contributions
Donatello produced a vast array of sculptures, reliefs, and monuments between 1404 and 1466. His concrete outcomes include:
- **Donatello's Crucifix of Santa Croce** (1406): A sculpture located in Santa Croce, Florence.
- **Young Prophet** (c. 1400–1406): A sculpture housed in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.
- **David (Marble)** (c. 1400–1416): A marble sculpture located at the Museo nazionale del Bargello.
- **Saint Mark** (1410): A statue located at Museum Orsanmichele.
- **Pensive Prophet** (c. 1410–1418): A sculpture.
- **Marzocco** (1419): A sculpture.
- **Pazzi Madonna** (1420): A sculpture.
- **The Sacrifice of Isaac** (1421–1500): A sculpture located at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.
- **Reliquary Bust of Saint Rossore** (1424–1425): A reliquary bust.
- **Zuccone** (1423–1430): A statue.
- **Tomb of Giovanni Pecci** (1426): A relief located in the Cathedral of Siena.
- **Tomb of Antipope John XXIII** (1426): A tomb monument of Baldassare Cossa created with Michelozzo in the Baptistery, Florence.
- **Tomb of Cardinal Rainaldo Brancacci** (1420–1426): A sculpture.
- **The Ascension with Christ Giving the Keys to Saint Peter** (1420–1430): A relief located at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
- **The Feast of Herod** (1427): A sculpture.
- **Jeremiah** (1427–1500): A statue.
- **Hope** (1427): A sculpture.
- **Candelabra Angels** (1434): Sculptures located in Italy.
- **Cantoria by Donatello** (1430–1433): A sculpture.
- **Cavalcanti Annunciation** (1433): A sculpture.
- **Bust of Niccolò da Uzzano** (1420–1450): A polychromed terracotta bust (attributed to Donatello or the workshop of Desiderio da Settignano).
- **Amor Attis** (1430–1440): A sculpture.
- **David (Bronze)** (1440): A bronze statue located at the Museo nazionale del Bargello.
- **Madonna and Child** (1440): A relief located in the Louvre.
- **Basilica del Santo Crucifix** (1444): A sculpture located at the Basilika des heiligen Antonius.
- **Saint John the Baptist** (1438): A sculpture located at Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Venice.
- **Saint John the Baptist (Siena)** (1455): A statue located in Siena.
- **Penitent Magdalene** (1453): A sculpture.
- **Equestrian statue of Gattamelata** (1453–1500): A sculpture.
- **Judith and Holofernes** (1460): A sculpture.
- **The Passion Pulpit** (1460): A sculpture.
- **Pulpit of Prato Cathedral**: A sculptural work created with Michelozzo.
- **Saint George Freeing the Princess** (1416): A sculpture.
- **Beardless Prophet** (1416): A statue located at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.
- **Saint John the Evangelist** (1500): A sitting statue located at the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence (inception date listed as 1500 in source).

## FAQs
**What types of art did Donatello create?**
Donatello worked across multiple genres, including religious art, portraits, equestrian portraits, and mythological themes. His output ranged from large-scale bronze statues and tomb monuments to intricate reliefs and terracotta busts.

**Who were Donatello's notable collaborators and contemporaries?**
He was affiliated with the Italian sculptor and architect Lorenzo Ghiberti and collaborated with Michelozzo on significant projects like the Tomb of Antipope John XXIII and the pulpit of Prato Cathedral. He also worked alongside or influenced figures such as Andrea Mantegna and Bernardo Rossellino.

**Where are Donatello's works located?**
His creations are housed in major institutions and sites across Italy and Europe, including the Museo nazionale del Bargello, the Louvre, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Cathedral of Siena, and various churches in Florence, Venice, and Padua.

**What is the timeline of Donatello's career?**
His professional work period spanned from 1404 to 1466. During these six decades, he produced works ranging from his early *Young Prophet* and *David (Marble)* to his late masterpieces like the *Penitent Magdalene* and *Judith and Holofernes*.

## Why They Matter
Donatello fundamentally transformed the art of sculpture by mastering three-dimensional representation and introducing a new level of emotional depth and realism to religious and secular subjects. His invention of the *stiacciato* (low relief) technique and his revival of classical forms, such as the nude *David* and the equestrian monument, set new standards for the Renaissance. Without his innovations, the trajectory of European sculpture would have lacked the dynamic movement and psychological complexity seen in the works of his successors. His influence extended to contemporaries like Andrea Mantegna and later generations, establishing a foundation for the High Renaissance.

## Notable For
- Being a primary figure of the Early Renaissance in Italy.
- Creating the first free-standing nude statue since antiquity (*David*).
- Pioneering the equestrian portrait genre with the *Equestrian statue of Gattamelata*.
- Producing a vast body of religious art for major cathedrals in Florence, Siena, and Venice.
- Collaborating with Michelozzo on major tomb monuments and pulpits.
- Working with Lorenzo Ghiberti, a leading figure of the same era.
- Creating the *Zuccone*, a statue renowned for its expressive realism.
- Producing the *Penitent Magdalene*, a powerful depiction of human suffering.
- Establishing a career that spanned over 60 years (1404–1466).

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Donatello, whose full name was Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi, was an Italian human and sculptor active during the Early Renaissance. Born in 1386, he is recognized as a unique member of *Homo sapiens* who dedicated his life to the art of sculpture. His work period officially began in 1404 and concluded with his death in 1466. He is distinct from the fictional Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles character also named Donatello.

### Career and Affiliations
Donatello operated primarily within the Republic of Florence, a city-state on the Appenine Peninsula that existed between 1115 and 1532/69. He was affiliated with the renowned sculptor and architect Lorenzo Ghiberti. His professional life involved creating works for various patrons and locations, including the Republic of Florence and the country of Italy. He also collaborated with Michelozzo on significant architectural and sculptural projects.

### Major Sculptural Works
Donatello's portfolio is extensive and diverse, covering religious, mythological, and portrait themes.
- **Religious Art**: He created numerous works for churches, including *Donatello's Crucifix of Santa Croce* (1406), *Saint John the Evangelist* (1500), *Saint John the Baptist* (1438), and the *Basilica del Santo Crucifix* (1444). He also produced the *Penitent Magdalene* (1453) and the *The Passion Pulpit* (1460).
- **Tomb Monuments**: His funerary art includes the *Tomb of Giovanni Pecci* (1426), the *Tomb of Antipope John XXIII* (1426), and the *Tomb of Cardinal Rainaldo Brancacci* (1420–1426).
- **Reliefs**: Notable reliefs include *The Feast of Herod* (1427), *The Sacrifice of Isaac* (1421), *The Ascension with Christ Giving the Keys to Saint Peter* (1430), and the *Pazzi Madonna* (1420).
- **Statues**: He sculpted the *Zuccone* (1423–1430), *Saint Mark* (1410), *Jeremiah* (1427), *Hope* (1427), and the *Beardless Prophet* (1416).
- **Equestrian and Mythological**: He created the *Equestrian statue of Gattamelata* (1453), *Saint George Freeing the Princess* (1416), and *Amor Attis* (1430–1440).
- **Portraits**: His work includes the *Bust of Niccolò da Uzzano* (1420–1450) and the *Marzocco* (1419).

### Chronological Output
- **1400s**: Produced the *Young Prophet* (c. 1400–1406) and the marble *David* (c. 1400–1416).
- **1410s**: Created *Saint Mark* (1410), *Pensive Prophet* (c. 1410–1418), *Marzocco* (1419), *Saint George Freeing the Princess* (1416), and *Beardless Prophet* (1416).
- **1420s**: A prolific decade including the *Pazzi Madonna* (1420), *The Sacrifice of Isaac* (1421), *Reliquary Bust of Saint Rossore* (1424–1425), *Zuccone* (1423), *Tomb of Giovanni Pecci* (1426), *Tomb of Antipope John XXIII* (1426), *Tomb of Cardinal Rainaldo Brancacci* (1420–1426), *The Ascension with Christ Giving the Keys to Saint Peter* (1420–1430), *The Feast of Herod* (1427), *Jeremiah* (1427), and *Hope* (1427).
- **1430s**: Produced *Candelabra Angels* (1434), *Cantoria by Donatello* (1430–1433), *Cavalcanti Annunciation* (1433), *Bust of Niccolò da Uzzano* (1430–1450), *Amor Attis* (1430–1440), and *Saint John the Baptist* (1438).
- **1440s**: Created the bronze *David* (1440), *Madonna and Child* (1440), and *Basilica del Santo Crucifix* (1444).
- **1450s**: Produced the *Penitent Magdalene* (1453), *Equestrian statue of Gattamelata* (1453), and *Saint John the Baptist* (1455).
- **1460s**: Created *Judith and Holofernes* (1460) and *The Passion Pulpit* (1460).

### Locations and Legacy
Donatello's works are distributed across Italy and international museums. Key locations include the Museo nazionale del Bargello (housing both marble and bronze *David*), the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo in Florence, the Cathedral of Siena, Santa Croce in Florence, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Louvre, and the Basilika des heiligen Antonius. A square in Florence, Italy, named *piazzale Donatello*, commemorates his legacy. His influence is also noted in the context of mythological painting and the broader genre of religious art. He is associated with the Republic of Florence and the country of Italy.

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