Donatello

Donatello, born Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi in Florence (c. 1386/1387–1466), was an Italian sculptor of the early Renaissance. He is regarded as one of the most innovative figures of Florentine art, noted for reviving monumental sculpture and for developing a naturalistic approach that emphasized individual character, psychological presence, and a renewed interest in classical forms. His work helped lay the foundations for later Renaissance sculpture.

Born and active in Florence, Donatello trained in the city’s workshops and produced works for civic and religious patrons. He created a series of early masterpieces for Orsanmichele, including Saint George (c. 1415–17), a marble statue that established his reputation for expressive realism. In Padua, his Gattamelata (c. 1445), a bronze equestrian statue of Erasmo da Narni, became a landmark in public sculpture and influenced the handling of heroism and movement in sculpture. His bronze David (c. 1440s), in the Bargello, is celebrated for its nude, life-size form and a dignity and restraint that anticipate later Florentine sculpture. He also produced a Penitent Magdalene in wood (c. 1450s), noted for its austere emotion.

Donatello was a pioneer of the schiacciato (shallow-relief) technique, which allowed intricate storytelling and depth within a very thin plane. His exploration of weight, stance, and psychological nuance informed the evolution of Renaissance sculpture and influenced artists such as Michelangelo. Donatello died in Florence in 1466, leaving a lasting legacy as a foundational figure of Italian Renaissance art.