#2 Donatello (1386 - 1466)

​Full name: Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi
Fun fact: Donatello was an apprentice to Lorenzo Ghiberti

David (front and rear view)
c. 1440
bronze
158 cm (approx. 5' 2")
Museo Nazionale de Bargello
Florence. Italy

• FIRST unsupported standing bronze statue cast during the Renaissance.
• FIRST of three famous Davids sculpted during the Renaissance: #2) the more conventional bronze by Andrea del Verrochio (1475); #3) the famous statue of David by Michelangelo (1501-4).​
• Another famous version includes the Baroque statue by Bernini (1624) (remember the qualities of Baroque art? You can clearly see them in Bernini's statues, yes?)(Reminds you of the transformation of Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic statues, yes?)
• Based on the Biblical story of David, the young, Jewish fighter killed the Philistine giant, Goliath, in single combat and armed only with a sling and a few pebbles = Allegorical reference to the Republic of Florence.
• Iconography: 1) Sword of Goliath in his right hand, 2) Rock in other hand, 3) Foot on Goliath's severed head

Statues of "David" by Donatello (1440), Michelangelo (1501-4) and Bernini (1624)

Any study of the "Old Masters" begins in the Italian Renaissance. Your drawing project is designed to help you better understand this critical time period - because understanding the context of the times will help you make a better drawing.  It is in this era that the definition of art - and role of the artist - begins to change significantly. This change is critical to the continued evolution of art. Do you know what these specific changes were?

AFTER CAREFULLY REVIEWING THE RESOURCES ASSIGNED ABOVE: Answer the following questions completely and with specificity to the provided resources, notes taken, personal reflection, and additional research as needed. Make sure to consider how this information is relevant to your current work and practice.

1. We have gone back in history a bit with Donatello... compare the birth/death dates of Donatello with Raphael, who you just studied, in order to put their lives into perspective within the period known as the Italian Renaissance.
2. Why is Donatello considered to be such an important artist? 
3. The video covered a lot of ground. What did you know, what did you not know, what did you find to be of particular significance?
4. Review the vocabulary list your were given - are you able to add to any of the definitions based on the information provided here...? Do it!