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| Donatello Bronze David 1440 |
Giorgio Vasari wrote about the critical
importance of Ghiberti and Donatello in Part two of his Lives.
These two artists are crucial
turning points in sculpture that show distinct changes in Renaissance
sculpture. Ghiberti was known by his very famous Gates of Paradise
that belong to the east side of Florence's San Giovanni's Baptistery.
He shows great depth and perception in all his panels. Donatello
sculpted beautiful figures that were not like any others. One of his
works is the very famous bronze David (ca
1440). In this sculpture of David, he brings the Renaissance revival
of the old Classical principles. Another important feature is that
David is a freestanding nude and it is said that Donatello is the
first sculptor to portray the nude male in statuary. It was
considered indecent at that time: to sculpt a nude. However Donatello
showed David as a young biblical slayer, but in a very sensual way
and his body is in a very relaxed contropposto stance and that was
very bold and elegant. Giorgio Vasari regarded Donatello's David
by saying “this statue is so
natural in its vitality and delicacy that other artisans find it
impossible to believe that the work is not moulded around a living
body.” He also described Donatello as “having no other equal,”
truly a great artist.
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