Biography

The beginnings of an Artist

Italian sculptor Donatello was the greatest Florentine sculptor

before Michelangelo (14751564) and was the most influential
individual artist of the 15th century in Italy.

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.
Biography
The beginnings of an Artist

His original name is Donato di Niccol di Betto Bardi.

He died in december 13 of 1466 in Florence, Italy.
Donatello was learning the art of the sculpture in Florence when he
was only 14 years old.
He never married and he seems to have been a man of simple
tastes.
He worked with Stone, bronze, wood, clay, stucco and wax.
He was known mostly for sculpting statues.
Biography
The beginnings of an Artist

Over his career he developed a style of lifelike, highly emotional

sculptures and a reputation second only to Michelangelo's.

Soon a famous gold smith, known as Lorenzo Ghiberti, took him

as an apprentice. He was taught how to work with bronze.

Cosimo de'Medici and Donatello became close over the years,

and in 1419 he actually nominated Donatello to sculpt a tomb for
Baldassare
Oh how strange
Despite the fact that his sculptures were simply amazing, Donatello
was anything but popular.

He was obviously obsessive over his work. Rather than selling his
work to ignorant clients, he would smash his work to pieces.

Donatello created the first full life sized nude statue, called David.
The Medici put the statue in their Palaces courtyard for all to see.

Apparently He had a very strong connection with the Medici.

Statue of St. George
This statue was a piece that was commissioned for
the Armorers guild.

It represents their patron saint.

The art work has been remade and replaced over

the years, though Donatello was the first person to
design the statue.
Statue of St. George
This statue ended up being the model for
many heroic statues that followed.

It is believed that either the statue of

Marucus Aurelius or the Greek horses that
rest atop the Church of St Marks inspired
this work of art.
Tomb of Antipope John XXIII

Donatello worked with Michelozzo on this

Papal tomb.

This was the last Papal tomb constructed

outside of Rome.
Not all things end, but most do
The most vivid piece of work that Donatello made came
near the end of his career.

The statue was known as the Penitent Mary Magdalene,

and it has been described as horrid, terrifying, and all out
creepy.

After many years of hard work, and only ten years after his
greatest work, Donatello died.