So Donatello doesn’t wear a purple bandana over his eyes, eat pizza, and walk around on mutated limbs from green ooze? Lol. Anybody remember the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? I was obsessed as a kid. I wonder what my kids will think someday. Hahaha

It would be much better to have them-or anyone for that matter- be familiar with the REAL Donatello. Regarding his works the author, Giorgio Vasari, of “The Lives Of The Artists” states:

“His works possessed so much grace and excellence and such a fine sense of design that they were considered to be more like the distinguished works of the ancient Greeks and Romans than those of any other artist who has ever existed, and he is therefore quite rightly recognized as the first artisan who properly used the device of scenes in bas-relief.”

Wow. That’s quite a statement. I’ll let you be the judge of that; there is a lot of beauty to behold in his sculptures, but the competition is fierce from other masters. 🙂

Donatello was raised in the noble Italian family of Roberto Martelli. He made countless works, but he is well known for becoming one of the best, reviving lost ancient techniques-due to time spent studying in Rome with his friend Filippo Bruneschelli: one of the greatest architects and artisans to ever live. He also made various well known works of art such as as the “Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata”, various prophets and biblical icons at the Duomo, “Judith and Holofernes” at the Palazzo Vecchio Florence, and countless others. His sculpture of David is my favorite. All the sculptures mentioned previously I have pictured below.

Also, I really enjoyed this story from Donatello’s life and wanted to share with you. Besides just talking about their works, the author does a great job of telling stories about their lives which give us a glimpse of their character and how they really were.

Excerpt from “The Lives Of The Artists”:

“In the same church below the choir screen beside the scenes frescoed by Taddeo Gaddi, Donatello took extraordinary pains in carving a wooden crucifix which, upon completing it and believing that he had produced a very rare object, he showed to Filippo di Ser Brunellesco, his very dear friend, in order to have his opinion of it. Filippo, who expected to see something much better from Donatello’s description of it, smiled a bit when he saw it. When Donatello saw this, he begged Filippo for the sake of their friendship to give him his honest opinion of it, and so, Filippo, who was very candid, replied that it seemed to him as if Donatello had placed a peasant upon the cross and not a body like that of Jesus Christ, which was most delicate and represented, in all its parts, the most perfect human. “being born. Hearing himself criticized—and even more sharply than he had imagined—rather than receiving the praise he had hoped for, Donatello answered: ‘If it were as simple to create something as to criticize, my Christ would look like Christ to you and not like a peasant; take some wood and try to make one yourself.’ Without saying another word, Filippo returned home, and without anyone knowing, he set his hand to making a crucifix, seeking to surpass Donatello in order to vindicate his own judgement, and after many months he brought it to the highest degree of perfection. And once this was finished, he invited Donatello one morning to have lunch with him, and Donatello accepted the invitation. And so, they went together towards Filippo’s home, and when they reached the Old Market, Filippo bought a few things and gave them to Donatello, saying: ‘Go on home with these things and wait for me there, and I’ll be along shortly.’ Donatello therefore entered the house and, on the ground-floor, saw Filippo’s crucifix in a perfect light, and stopping to examine it, he found it so perfectly finished that, realizing Filippo had outdone him, and completely stupefied, as if he had lost his wits, he relaxed his grip on his apron; whereupon, the eggs, the cheese, and everything else fell out, breaking into pieces and spilling all over, and as he stood there stunned and amazed, Filippo caught up with him, and said with a laugh: ‘What’s your plan, Donatello? How can we have lunch if you have spilled everything?’ Donatello replied: ‘Personally, I’ve had enough for this morning, but if you want your share, take it. But no more, thank you: it’s for you to make Christs and for me to make peasants.”