Donatello

Donatello Donatello was a great Italian sculptor, who was born in Florence, Italy, in 1386. He did not marry and had no children. He started practicing at the age of 20 and worked in Lorenzo Ghiberti's shop. Later in his life he studied Roman ruins and became a humanist. Donatello also had a shop in Florence where he created many of his masterpieces. The last years of Donatello's life were spent designing twin bronze pulpits for San …

…that gives his statues a distinct look. Donatello had an immense impact on the art and the artists of the Renaissance. He invented the shallow relief technique. In the shallow relief technique the sculpture seems deep but is actually done on a very shallow plane. Donatello characterized his figures as individuals. He also made the first bronze sculpture. These were the stepping-stones for sculptors to use other materials. (http://www.island-of-freedom.com/DONATELL.HTM May 15, 2003)