Donatello

Donatello (1386-1465), the nickname of Donatodi Betta Bardi, a noted Italian sculptor, born at Florence, where he was apprenticed to a goldsmith. At fifteen he went to Rome with his friend Bruneleschi, and there they studied, supporting themselves meantime by the exercise of their goldsmith's craft. Donatello had already before leaving Florence carved a, wooden crucifix, a St. Mary Magdalen, and a marble St. John, after his return from Rome he carved some marble prophets and an Annunciation. Between 1408-1416 he carved in marble SS. Peter, Mark, and George for the outside. of the church of St. Michael. In 1426 he executed a tomb of Pope John XXIII., in 1427 one for Cardinal Brancacci at Naples, and in 1429 one for Bartolommeo Aragazzi. Other noted works are a bronze statue of David, and a large equestrian statue at Padua. His last works - two bronze pulpits - were finished by others after his death. He combined much of the .spirit of ancient sculpture with an originality of his own, and inaugurated a new era in the art.