Donatello


 * Donatello**

Donatello di Niccolò di Betto Bardi, also known as Donatello, was an Italian Renaissance sculptor who is considered one of the greatest sculptors of all time and the founder of modern sculpture.

Donatello was born in Florence, 1386, the son of a wool comber. When he was just 17 years old, he assisted the well-known sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti in building and decorating the famous bronze doors of the baptistery of San Giovanni, Florence.

=First Period - Before 1425=

Donatello's carrer was possibly divided into three periods. The first period consisted of the years before 1425, when he work was under the influence of Gothic Sculpture but also showed classical and realistic tendincies. During this period he made the statues of //[|St Mark]// (Church of Or San Michee, Florence), //[|St.George]// (Bargello, Florence), //[|John the Evangelist]// (Opera del Dumo, Florence), and //Joshua// (campanile of the cathedral, Florence). The second period (1425-1443) is is usually considered by a dependence on the models and principles of the sculpture of the past. From 1425 to 1435 Donatello worked with the Florentine sculptor and architect Michelozzo on a number of projects, including the monument to Bartolomeo Aragazzi (Cathedral of Montepulciano). In their joint work Michelozzo completed the architectural designs and also helped in the making of the bronze castings. = = =Second Period - 1425 - 1443=

The second period (1425-1443) is usually considered by a dependence on the models and principles of the sculpture of the past. From 1425 to 1435 Donatello worked with the Florentine sculptor and architect Michelozzo on a number of projects, including the monument to Bartolomeo Aragazzi (Cathedral of Montepulciano). In their joint work Michelozzo completed the architectural designs and also helped in the making of the bronze castings. From 1430 to 1433 Donatello spent periods in Rome, where he created a number of works//.// It was in Florence, however, that he created the most noted work of this period—the bronze //[|David]// (circa 1430-1435, Bargello), the first nude statue of the Renaissance. = = = = =Third Period - 1443 - 1466=

In his third period, Donatello broke away from classical influence and in his work highlighted realism and the portrayal of character and of dramatic action. Notable examples of his sculpture of this period are //Miracles of St. Anthony// (Sant' Antonio, Padua); //[|Gattamelata]// (in the square before Sant' Antonio), the first bronze equestrian statue since ancient times; and //Judith and Holofernes// (Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence).

Donatello died on December 13, 1466