Donatello

Donato di Niccolo di Betto Bardi, better known as Donatello, was a sculptor from the Renaissance period. He was born in Florence, Italy to Niccolo di Betto Bardi. His father was a member of the Florentine Wool Combers Guild, labeling young Donatello as the son of a craftsman and placing him on the path to becoming a trader. His education took place at the home of the Martellis, which was a wealthy family made up of bankers and patrons. the Martellis were very closely involved with the Medici family, who basically started the Renaissance. Here he recieved artistic training from a goldsmith. From this goldsmith, he learned metallurgy and the fabrication of metals and other substances. In the early 1400s, Donatello took an apprenticeship from a local metal smith and sculptor, Lorenzo Ghiberti. Soon after, Ghiberti was chosen to build the bronze doors of the the Baptistery of the Florence Cathedral. Donatello helped him with this task. In 1408, Donatello built a life sized marble sculpture, David. It was unlike his future sculptures, as this one was graceful and expressionless and his later ones would be more emotional. This statue was placed in town hall. In 1411, he began another sculpture, St. Mark, which he finished in 1413. Two years later, he completed St. John the Evangelist. In 1425, Donatello created a partnership with another Italian sculptor, Michelozzo. Together, they traveled to Rome. There they built many tombs, including Anti-pope John XXIII's. Donatello's most famous work was probably his bronze replica of David, which he created in 1430. In 1450, Donatello created Gattamelata, a bronze equestrian statue with full battle dress, minus the rider's helmet. On December 13, 1466, Donatello died of unknown causes.