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Artists in 60 Seconds: Donatello (Donato di Niccolo di Betto Bardi)

By , About.com Guide

Movement, Style, School or Type of Art:

Early Renaissance, Florentine School

Date and Place of Birth:

1386 or 87, Florence, Italy

Life:

Donatello was trained as a sculptor by Ghiberti, but used his own vision to create figures that were the most lifelike seen since Antiquity. He invented a new method of relief sculpture that was extremely shallow (more like drawing than sculpting) but conveyed great depth and perspective. He took these methods with him while traveling to Rome, Siena and Padua, consequently influencing many other artists. He lived long enough to enjoy his own legendary status, which is not a bad way to go.

Important Works:

  • Saint George, ca. 1415
  • David, 1444-46
  • Equestrian monument to Gattamelata, 1447-53
  • Saint Mary Magdelene, ca. 1457

Date and Place of Death:

Decemeber 13, 1466, Florence, Italy

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