Spirit of the Early Renaissance - Essay Example

?Donatello Within the context of early Renaissance Italian art, Donatello’s contributions, especially sculptures, are important. Besides, Donatello’sworks represent the spirit of early Renaissance in Italian sculpture, which deeply influenced his contemporary artists. Thesis statement: Donatello represents the early Renaissance Italian art and his works (Equestrian statue of Gattamelata and Judith and Holofernes) can be considered as the best examples of the development of early Renaissance Italian art (special references to the works Equestrian statue of Gattamelata and Judith and Holofernes by Donatello). Biography: Donatello Italy is world renowned for Renaissance art and Donatello (Florence) is one of the best examples of the same. Besides, his birth was in the year 1386. After formal education, Donatello decided to be a goldsmith and underwent training. Besides, the training at the studio of Lorenzo Ghiberti helped him to realize that his field is art, not the work of a goldsmith. But he did not neglect the work as a goldsmith because it helped him to keep himself away from poverty. His deep interest in Roman architecture, especially the works by Filippo Brunelleschi, gradually attracted him towards sculpture. One can easily identify that both the artists (Donatello and Filippo Brunelleschi) revolutionized the field of sculpture and architecture in the 15th century. Donatello’s relationship with Lorenzo Ghiberti was so helpful to develop his interest in sculpture. For instance, Donatello worked as Lorenzo Ghiberti’s assistant at Florence Baptistery. Kleiner stated that “Donatello was also a pioneer in relief sculpture, the first to incorporate the principles of linear and atmospheric perspective, devices also employed brilliantly by Lorenzo Ghiberti in his Gates of Paradise for the Florence baptistery” (577). Lorenzo Ghiberti’s guidance helped Donatello to be free from the influence of Gothic Mannerism and to develop his own style in sculpture. Gradually, Donatello began to undertake independent works. For instance, Donatello work, bronze David proves his creativity in sculpture. Besides, this work helped Donatello to be famous in the field of sculpture, especially Renaissance sculpture. In the year 1450, Donatello completed another work in Padua, which is known as Gattamelata. This work is in the form of a statue, which deeply influenced the artists in Europe. Later in the year 1453, Donatello returned to his birthplace and began to undertake other works. His later works include St. John the Baptist and Martyrdom of St. Lawrence. Donatello passed away in the year 1466. His body was buried in a large church in Florence, namely Basilica of San Lorenzo. Britannica Educational Publishing stated that “A good deal is known about Donatello’s life and career, but little is known about his character and personality, and what is known is not wholly reliable” (31). To be specific, Donatello’s deep interest and passion towards sculpture helped him to be one of the pioneers of early Renaissance in Italian sculpture. Ghiberti’s training helped Donatello to learn the basics of sculpture but he developed his own style in sculpture. For instance, Donatello developed his own style in sculpture, namely relief sculpture. His passion towards sculpture forced him to be in Rome and other places like Siena and Padua. This helped him to lead more about the scope of sculpture in Europe. Besides, Donatello was able to keep himself free from the influence of Gothic style of Mannerism. Within the context of early Renaissance in Italian sculpture, Donatello’s name is most memorable because his sculptures represent the Renaissance spirit of the age. Analysis 1: Equestrian statue of Gattamelata The Equestrian statue of Gattamelata (see appendix-1) is a statue in Bronze by Donatello, which was commissioned in the year 1453. This sculpture, which acts the role of a landmark, is situated in Padua. This sculpture is interconnected with the history of Padua, especially the life history of condottiero Erasmo da Narni, the military hero of the Republic of Venice. The history behind this sculpture is that the rulers of Padua asked Donatello to construct a statue to honor Erasmo da Narni, their military hero. The construction of this statue initiated the honoring of military heroes in Europe. One can easily identify that the statue of Erasmo da Narni or Gattamelata is symbolic of the growth and development of Renaissance equestrian statues in Europe. The usage of bronze as the medium provides elegance to the statue of Gattamelata. Besides, the method used by Donatello to construct this statue is lost wax method. The usage of the pedestal as a foundation to the statue proves that the statue is important and interconnected with Gattamelata’s status as a military hero. Zirpolo made clear that “This work was commissioned from Donatello by the Venetian Senate to honor the Condottiere Erasmo da Narni, known as Gattamelata, who served as chief commander of the Venetian army and left funds in his will for his own monument” (142). Besides, Donatello did not give unwanted importance to the size of the statue because he was aware of the fact that life size statue of a military hero will be more acceptable to the people. One can see that large sculptures will attract the people but life size sculptures will convey the message of simplicity and elegance. As Gattamelata was a military hero, people were aware of his courage and status in the society. The pedestal of the statue consists of fake doors, which provides the feeling of a burial place. But the statue was not constructed on the burial place of Gattamelata. Instead, the fake doors are symbolic of human life. On the pedestal, Gattamelata is sitting on his horse. This provides ample evidence to the character of Gattamelata. Besides, most of the Renaissance themes during Donatello’s time consist of the symbolic representation of real heroes. One can easily identify that the horse in the statue is symbolic of Gattamelata’s power and status in the society. Fowler stated that “The great, powerful horse is completely dominated by the rider, whose commanding attitude and thoughtful, energetic face are admirably conceived and are rendered with the greatest truth and the utmost delicacy of workmanship” (265). Besides, the statue acts the role of a role model to the later Renaissance sculptures. For instance, the later Renaissance artists gave ample importance to anatomy, especially animal and human anatomy. In short, the statue of Gattamelata by Donatello represents the artist’s craftsmanship and the spirit of early Renaissance in Italian sculpture. To be specific, Equestrian statue of Gattamelata by Donatello can be considered as a sculpture with symbolic value and historical importance. Analysis 2: Judith and Holofernes The Judith and Holofernes (see appendix-2) is a sculpture by Donatello, completed in the year 1460. One can see that the second half of fifteenth century was considered as the end of Donatello’s career as a sculptor. So, this bronze sculpture is important within the history of sculpture in Europe. One can easily identify that the sculpture is symbolic of the victory of feminine strength over masculinity or male domination. Warner opined that “With Judith and Holofernes, the sexes reverse their genders; he is soft, luxurious, sensual; she hard, warrior-like, virile” (51). In the statue, Judith is not ready to be under the control of Holofernes. Instead, she is ready to kill him with her sword. The emotion in her face proves that her decision is not to yield, but to destroy her enemy. One can easily identify that this sculpture is the manifestation of feminine power. From a different angle of view, the sculpture of Judith and Holofernes is interconnected with the history of Florence, especially the history of Florentine republic. For instance, when Piero di Lorenzo de Medici was expelled, the sculpture was placed at the Palazzo Vecchio. One can see that Donatello was interested to inscribe his name on his sculptures. But Donatello decided to engrave his name on the sculpture of Judith and Holofernes. This proves that the sculptor felt satisfied by the elegance and beauty of his work and he decided to engrave his name on it. The creation of the sculpture Judith and Holofernes was not an easy task for Donatello because he was aware of the historical importance of the same. For instance, Donatello took five years to complete the sculpture of Judith and Holofernes. Fernie stated that “Donatello shows the moment before the decapitation: Holofernes’s protruding veins, with the blood coursing through them, is clearly visible in the bronze that retains the detail from the original wax molding” (232). In addition, the sculpture is related to biblical allusion of Judith’s assassination of Holofernes (say, an Assyrian General). In the sculpture, Donatello gave ample importance to the helplessness felt by the victim (Holofernes). For instance, the emotion that can be seen on Holofernes’s face is helplessness and fear. On the other side, Judith’s face represents seriousness and anger towards the victim. In the sculpture, Donatello provided ample importance to human anatomy and emotions. Donatello gave importance to Judith’s dressing and it provides seriousness to her face because her body is totally covered by her dress. On the other side, Holofernes’s body is half naked and it represents submissive attitude towards impending danger. In short, the sculpture of Judith and Holofernes by Donatello represents the victory of virtue over evil. From a different angle of view, the sculpture represents Donatello’s relationship with Medici family. In addition, the sculpture is symbolic of the growth and development of early Renaissance Italian art in Europe. One cannot neglect the emotional appeal of the sculpture because emotionality is successfully portrayed by the sculptor. Summing up, Donatello’s contribution, especially to the early Renaissance Italian art is important. Besides, his dedication to his profession is evident in his works like Equestrian statue of Gattamelata and Judith and Holofernes. Donatello made use of bronze as the medium of both the works. But emotional appeal of both the works is different because Gattamelata in the statue Equestrian statue of Gattamelata is interconnected with history, and Judith and Holofernes in the statue of Judith and Holofernes is interconnected with Holy Bible. In short, both the works represent Donatello’s skill to make use of history and mythology as important themes. Works Cited Britannica Educational Publishing. One hundred most influential painters and sculptors of the Renaissance. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2009. Print. Fowler, Harold North. A History of Sculpture. Norwood: Kessinger Publishing, 2005. Print. Fernie, Deanna. Hawthorne, Sculpture, and the Question of American Art. Surrey: Ashgate Publishing, 2011. Print. Kleiner, Fred. Gardner's art through the ages: a global history, Volume 2. Boston: Cengage Learning EMEA, 2008. Print. Warner, Marina. Monsters of our own making: the peculiar pleasures of fear. Kentucky: University Press of Kentucky, 2007. Print. Zirpolo, Lilian H. The A to Z of Renaissance Art. Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 2009. Print. Appendices Appendix-1 Equestrian statue of Gattamelata Available at: - http://www.finearttouch.com/Donatello_Sculpture_of_Gattamelata.html Appendix-2 Judith and Holofernes Available at: - http://instructors.dwrl.utexas.edu/squires/node/4 Read More

 

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