Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi, or better known as Donatello, was born in Florence, Italy. He was the son of a wool comber whose sculptures established a new and humanistic style. Such a technique was seen as parting away from the then accepted Gothic representations of the human form. He was the first sculptor to have developed a vast knowledge of Roman and Greek sculpture.

Early Life and Training

Under artistic training with a goldsmith and working closely in the studio of Lorenzo Ghiberti, Donatello started learning to work with various materials like marble, bronze, wood etc. The following three years from 1404, he spent time in Rome with the architect and sculptor Filippo Brunelleschi studying ancient roman artifacts.

Upon going through such Roman antiquities, Donatello was inspired by the naturalism portrayed in those works that he started creating statues that appeared to have a life of their own with their own personalities in a way of continuing the legacy. Very similar to Cimabue, Giotto, Duccio, Donatello techniques were a departure from the then prevalent Gothic style of art.

Unique Style: Schiacciato

He started to become known for his accomplished works with materials like bronze, marble, wood, stucco and terracotta where he created his unique signature style known as basso relievo or low relief. This technique later became known as schiacciato (‘flattened out’). This sculpting technique involved extremely shallow carving to create dramatic images which utilized the help of light and shadow to tell the story. Such a technique was revolutionary, no one until now utilized such a technique in sculpting convey the range of emotions Donatello portrayed in his work. Diligent, diverse, resourceful and original, he was more interested in portraying emotions that in the finish of his sculptures and reliefs.

Because of his signature style, he soon became so famous and in such demand that he had to turn down many commissions across Italy.

Renowned Works

St. John

Year Created: 1408-1415
Housed at: Museo Dell’Opera Del Duomo, Florence, Italy
Description: This is a colossal marble sculpture showcasing the shift from Gothic mannerism towards naturalism...

Statue of Habacue (Zuccone)

Year Created: 1411-1413
Housed at: Museo Dell’Opera Del Duomo, Florence, Italy
Description: A life-size marble statue of the prophet Habakkuk...

Feast of Herod

Year Created: 1425
Housed at: Baptistry, Siena, Italy
Description: This bronze relief uses high and low relief to create a dramatic sense of depth...

Equestrian monument of Gattamelata

Year Created: 1444-1453
Housed at: Piazza Del Santo, Padua, Italy
Description: This bronze statue was commissioned by the Republic of Venice...

The Penitent Magdalene

Year Created: 1453-1455
Housed at: Museo Dell’Opera Del Duomo, Florence, Italy
Description: A sculpture made of white poplar wood, this piece portrays Mary Magdalene in deep repentance...

David

Year Created: 1408
Housed at: Bargello, Florence, Italy
Description: This famous bronze statue depicts the biblical figure David after his triumph over Goliath...