It is estimated that Donatello was born around 1386, in Florence. He lived with the Martelli family, from where he received his education. His love for art motivated him to volunteer in Lorenzo Ghiberti studio. He learnt the artistic work, while still working in the studio. Donatello made his living by working in the goldsmith’s shops. Between 1404-1407, he undertook studies in excavations in Rome. During this period, he worked with Filippo Brunelleschi, who was of the most influential and experienced artists. Because of his love and motivation in artistic works, Donatello quickly gained knowledge and experience in Gothic style. Regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 15th century, he began his work at the age of twenty. He learnt most of his work through apprenticeship. His work mostly focused on the realism and lifelike styles. He gradually gained a reputation in his work, explaining why he began getting commissions while still a young artist.
Characteristic of Donatello’s works
Donatello had studied the classical sculpture. Therefore, he ventured into the renaissance styles. His works represented the renaissance period of the 14th and 15th centuries (Draper, 2000). During this period, the artists curved mostly the biblical and contemporary figures. One of the main characteristics of Donatello’s works was the depiction of the religious themes. Some of the religious sculptures included Jesus and his mother, St. Thomas, Magdalene, and St. Mark. During the Middle Age period, the religion played an imperative role in the society. Religion made a great influence in politics and government (Draper, 2000). This may explain why most of the artists, such as Donatello made the religious sculptures. Another characteristic of Donatello’s work was the renaissance realism. The realism, unlike the romanticism, focuses on the accurate and detailed physical appearance of the human anatomy and other social factors. Realism perspective allowed artists make lifelike sculptures. His renaissance realism was depicted through the sculptures of St. Mark and St. George in 1415. The two sculptures demonstrate the fine details and the expressions of reality. Unlike most of the romanticism artists, Donatello did not fancy imagination and subjectivity. Instead, his focus was to design and produce sculptures that were almost humanlike. He became the pioneer of the realism perspective and inspires many artists, especially of the 17th century. The third characteristics of Donatello’s work were the kind of the materials that were used. While most of the artists used wood to curve sculptures, the material was unavailable in certain areas. Also, there was the aspect of affordability and flexibility. Such factors prompted artists such as Donatello to use marble as the raw material. Marble was a readily available material in Florence. As mentioned before, Donatello had learnt excavations and gained experience on how curve sculptures out of marbles. Apart from the durability aspect of the marbles, the material was also cost effective. Another advantage of using marble over other materials was to enhance the degree of expressiveness. The material also allowed Donatello to make subtle and flawless sculptures. The marble was more convenient as it allowed the artsy to curve any desired shape. This may explain why Donatello was able to make lifelike sculptures.
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Donatello’s works
The Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata
Erasmo da Narni (Gattamelata) was one of the most renowned and respected military leader in Venice. He led his followers to war and won battles. He died in 1443. In honor of his service, the Republic of Venice felt the need to honor his work. A bronze sculpture measuring 340 x 390 cm was proposed. Donatello became one of the first artists to curve a sculpture using the bronze. The Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata shows a worrier (Erasmo da Narni) sitting on a horse (as illustrated in figure 1). His facial expression is that of a serious and focused leader. The horse is also dreadful and ready to obey its master. The sculpture is detailed and made from the realism perspective. Its appearance gives the audience the feel of who the kind of person Donatello was. Due to the kind of material used and other factors, The Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata is one of the few figures that still stand today.
Penitent Magdalene
Currently housed in Museo dell'Opera del Duomo in Florence, Penitent Magdalene was created between 1453-1455. It represented a biblical figure of Mary Magdalene. It is a detailed sculpture that is based on the realism ideology as initiated and developed by Donatello. Unlike most of the sculptures that were either made of marbles or bronze, Penitent Magdalene was created out of wood. Its dimension is about 188cm. The sculpture provides a detailed figure of a woman that was thought to be a close friend of Jesus. Historically, it was thought that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute, thought after her first contact with Jesus, she had her sins forgiven. While most of the artists, including Da Vinci represented Mary Magdalene as healthy and beautiful young woman, the situation was different from Donatello’s perspective. From sculpture (as shown in figure 2) Mary Magdalene is emaciated. She is weak and unattractive, which is different from what the perception of most artists.
Saint Mark
The statue stands about seven feet and nine inches high. Today, it is located in Orsanmichele church, Florence. It is one of the statues that Donatello created from marbles. It was created between 1411 and 1413. This is yet another sculpture that demonstrates the importance of the realism renaissance. Donatello was able to provide file details of St. Mark. This included the veins in his hands. The statue shows how skillful and detailed Donatello was in his work. his skills is also demonstrated by the draping of St. Mark’s linen, which reveals his figure. The figure 3 illustrates the skilled work by Donatello.
Virgin and Child with Four Angels
Also known as Chellini Madonna, Virgin and Child with Four Angels were a piece of art presented to Giovanni Chellini in 1456. It was created by Donatello and given to Chellini as an appreciation. Chellini was his doctor, who treated him when he felt ill. The sculpture represented Virgin Mary, a child in her hand, and two angels on her side. Once again, the sculpture has the biblical connotations. It a manifestation of how important religion was during the middle Ages. The sculpture was made of bronze and is currently located at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. The figure 4 represents the detailed and outstanding sculpture of Virgin Mary.
In conclusion, Donatello was one of the pioneers of realism perspective in art. He is renowned for his outstanding and unique sculptures. He made his sculptures from wood, bronze, and marble. Some of his works included, Virgin and Child with Four Angels, St. Mark, Penitent Magdalene, and The Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata.
References
Cavazzini, L. (2005). Donatello. Rome: Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso.
Draper, J. (2000) " Donatello (ca. 1386–1466)". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History . New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 200
Jackson, Anna (ed.) (2001). V&A: A Hundred Highlights . V&A Publications.
