Donatello (catalogue of works)

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The Sala di Donatello of the Bargello in Florence, the museum with the largest and best collection of Donatello's work

The following catalog of works by the Florentine sculptor Donatello (born around 1386 in Florence; died on December 13, 1466, in Florence) is based on the monographs by H. W. Janson (1957), Ronald Lightbown (1980), and John Pope-Hennessy (1996), as well as the catalogs of the 2022/2023 exhibitions in Florence, Berlin and London.[1] In the case of unsigned or documented works, the attributions and dates are, as is usual, based predominantly on stylistic criteria and analogies to secured works. Many of the works attributed to Donatello were created in collaboration with other artists and with specialists in specific techniques.

Subject/Name

The table is designed to be sorted in the best logical way possible, so that it can be used productively for searches, statistics and analysis (with many compromises; see below. The sorting function will also be available in the app sometime). Technical terms, places, etc., are only linked once at first appearance. The first table with Donatello's (more or less) secured œuvre specifies 77 entries of works of various sizes and oftentimes ensembles of sculptures.

First of all, it must be said that almost none of Donatello's works at the time had an individual name or title (just as only a few were signed; sometimes they have inscriptions that were added later, as with the Campanile figures). In addition to the Habakkuk, which was quickly nicknamed Zuccone because of the figure's pumpkin-shaped bald head, the late Judith and the Dovizia on the main market square (today's Piazza della Repubblica) in Florence, which were unique at the time, to clearly identify a work, the addition of the place (or commissioner) and (if it was known) the artist's name was needed. Donatello's two statues of David are similarly exceptional cases; both were generally known to be the work of Donatello, but for the second, the bronze David for the Medici, it was necessary to differentiate by adding the location, the client or the material. Almost all the other sculptures were figures of Christ, the Madonna and the saints, which were ubiquitous subjects and comprised the entire iconographical canon of what could be represented up to that point in time.

The bronze David, the Pazzi Madonna and the Cavalcanti Annunciation are all so-called Notnamen, short names that have been created over time by art historians since the 19th century, which have become established (with variants) and, particularly in the case of popular works, have become established in general through art literature and cultural and travel guides. A very special case in this regard is the so-called Amor-Attis, Amor-At(t)ys and vice versa, or also Atys-Amorino, as Janson described it in his monograph, which is still fundamental to this day; the figure remains a mystery with its ambiguous ancient attributes. Another persistent enigma is of course the bronze David.

Perhaps contrary to expectations, in the table these Notnamen under "Subject/Name" follow (in italics) after a general descriptive name of the object (e.g. "Lion..., (Marzocco)"), so that all prophet figures, for example, or the five John the Baptists can be brought together. Likewise, all Madonnas with the Christ Child are referred to as "Madonna and Child" so that they can be compared; the Pazzi Madonna, for example, can be found as "Madonna and Child (Pazzi Madonna)".

Donatello's documented collaborators and assistants are then named in small boldface, followed by uncertain attributions, dates or functions in small, bold and italic, which is a reference to missing documentation. Separating the largely undisputed works attributed to Donatello from those secured by documents or omitting them entirely would not allow an overall view of his œuvre, to approximate the assumed simultaneous work on different genres and their chronological progression.

Form

Under "Form" statues can be separated from works in relief, although simultaneously all, e.g., niche figures can also be brought together.

Materials

Donatello worked with a wide variety of materials, most often in innovative ways. In his time and also due to Donatello, in addition to marble, the complex and expensive bronze and cheap, easy-to-handle fired clay (terracotta) became the essential materials. The stone used is almost exclusively white marble, especially for the early statues of the Cathedral of Florence, the works in rilievo stiacciato (shallow relief), the tombs and the two pulpits from the 1430s. Techniques for bronze had almost been lost; their revival is associated above all with Lorenzo Ghiberti, in his doors for the Florence Baptistery and the statues for Orsanmichele,[a][b] for which Donatello then made his first bronze figure, the Saint Louis of Toulouse (1418–1422).

The main material used for the main object of a work is always mentioned first, then its treatment and secondary materials (as in the "Saint Louis of Toulouse with niche", first "bronze, fire-gilt", then silver, enamel and rock crystal for the decoration of the bishop's crosier, and finally the marble for the niche in which the figure originally stood, which was also created by Donatello).

Dimensions

In the 15th century there was a locally applicable ell (or arm length) which could range between around 50 and 75 cm. The size of a sculpture may have been specified as such in contracts or described in sources. In Donatello's case, the Florentine braccio (Italian "arm") of 58.3 cm was used for the most part.

If the measurements of a work are not given in the table as height × width × depth (in centimeters), at minimum the height of a figure or the diameter (d) of a tondo will be given, if that was all that could be found in the literature.

Dating

When it comes to dating the work, a compromise had to be made in that the initial dates are decisive here. This means that for documented objects it is often the date of the (first) written commission or the decision to do so. However, as is often the case (at this time) and not only for Donatello, the completion of a work or even the beginning lay sometimes years in the future. The specified time period does not therefore mean the actual time that Donatello spent on a work. Especially since, even at the other end (that is, after Donatello had completed a sculpture), a considerable amount of time could pass before it was (as is often the case) primed and colored and also gilded by painters. The installation on site did not have to happen immediately, so such information in documents does not necessarily indicate the time at which the sculpture was finished.

The priority of the starting date ignores the fact that during the period of often non-continuous work on a work, the understanding, the general knowledge of the classical model, with which Donatello continuously dealt, as well as the access to a specific task could change. This means that during the work process a stylistic change could take place that was not foreseeable at the beginning, or technical difficulties (or other circumstances) could arise that had to be solved and perhaps lead to a different result from what was originally planned.

Examples here include the early works, especially the marble David, the possible reworkings of which have been the subject of much speculation.[4] Is the composition of the Saint Louis of Toulouse in several parts, rather than cast in one piece, as Ghiberti had done, due to Donatello's deficiencies in the knowledge of bronze casting, or was this based on a practical consideration regarding fire gilding or perhaps the complexity of the folds? The question of its open back (original or removed for Santa Croce?) will continue to concern art historians.

Locations

The locations always start with the city, then the building in or on which the work was or is located. Under original location there is also information that names the client or clients or allows conclusions to be drawn about them. An (early) relocation of a work is also noted (e.g., with both David figures). Today's location indicates in part the inventory number of the object ("Inv. xy") if it is part of a museum collection, if possible with a link to the institution's online catalog where – as with the Berlin collection – good images can be found, a detailed description and documentation, as well as a bibliography.

About the second table

Important here are the controversial works, which have always been close to the discussion about Donatello's œuvre, but which have been rejected from the catalogs of works that can be considered secure. Particularly worth mentioning here are the portrait bust of Niccolò da Uzzano, the Saint Peter at Orsanmichele and the Hildburgh Madonna and its derivatives.

Furthermore, the nature of the second table means that it cannot be complete. As far as casts and variants of mostly smaller to minute works are concerned, there may be a huge number scattered throughout museums and private collections that have received undocumented attributions based solely on stylistic similarities or technical details. This also applies to works based on Donatello's designs since the supposed designs no longer exist. The heraldic shields in particular, often with Donatello's trademark, the spiritelli, are probably all workshop products at best. Due to the lack of sources, there is no section for original location here, but one for the attribution appears as second column.

All of the works listed in the second table may be considered examples, with an obvious emphasis on works from the Skulpturensammlung in the Bode Museum, Berlin, for historical and practical reasons. On the one hand, the early Italian Renaissance and Donatello in particular have been the focus of collecting activities and research since the end of the 19th century, especially of Wilhelm von Bode, which was then essentially continued to this day. This is reflected in today's online catalog, wherein most of the works are excellently documented.[5] This is also a reason for selecting the pieces from other museums, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, which was similarly engaged as Berlin, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and of course the museums in Florence itself, Donatello's birthplace and the center of his professional life.[6]

Catalogue of works

Image Subject/Name Form Material Dimensions (in cm) Dating Original location Current location
Prophetstatuemarble1281406Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, Porta della MandorlaFlorence, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
Creation of Eve, Damnation of Eve and Adam, Expulsion from Eden, The Labour of Adam and Eve
function, attrib. and date arguable[7]
reliefs (1 + 3), octagonal, probably for a hope chest (cassone)terracotta, glass (1); lead-glazed, partly gilded (3)34.5 × 34.51406–1408unknownFlorence, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo ("9073"?, Uffizi cat. 00225654), other three in London, Victoria and Albert Museum (Inv. ? 3)
Christ as the Man of Sorrowsreliefmarble1407–1408Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, Porta della MandorlaFlorence, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. Copy on original site
Crucifixstatue (demountable, with retractable arms)wood, gesso primer, painted170 × 166 × 351407–1408Florence, Santa Croce, north transeptFlorence, Santa Croce, Cappella Bardi di Vernio
David (with the head of Goliath; marble David)statuemarble, originally with cord of the sling191.5 × 78.5 × 421408–1409, 1416Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, planned for north tribune; Palazzo della Signoria, Sala dei Gigli (1416)Florence, Bargello (since 1781, Inv. Sc. 2)
Saint John the Evangeliststatue in niche, sittingmarble2101408–1415[8]Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, façadeFlorence, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
Prophet Joshuastatueterracotta, stucco, white-washedc.5501409–1412Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, north tribunedeteriorated, not preserved
Madonna and Childstatueterracotta, gesso primer, painted1410–1412unknownEmpoli, Pontorme, San Martino
Saint Markstatue in nichemarble236 × 74 (with base)1411–1413[9]Florence, Orsanmichele, niche of the Arte dei Linaioli e Rigattieri (Guild of linen manufacturers and retail cloth dealers)Florence, Orsanmichele, Museum. Copy at original site
Madonna and Child
attribution and date arguable
statue, sittingterracotta, originally primed and painted73 × 45.3 × 36.5c.1414unknownLondon, Victoria and Albert Museum (Inv. 7573-1861)
Madonna and Child
attribution and date arguable
statue, sittingterracotta, gesso primer, painted68.6 × 37.8 × 38.1
38.1 kg
c.1414unknownDetroit, Institute of Arts (Inv. 40.19)
Madonna and Child (Huldschinsky Madonna)
attribution and date arguable
statue, half figureterracotta, originally primed and painted90 × 75 × 24c.1415unknownBerlin, Bode Museum (formerly Kaiser Friedrich Museum), Sculpture Collection and Museum of Byzantine Art (since 1892, Inv. 1940)
Saint George and statue in niche with low reliefsmarble, probably at times with lance or sword and helmet (metal)204 × 78 × 34
base relief: 39 × 120
c.1415–1417Florence, Orsanmichele, north side, niche of the Arte dei Corazzai e Spadai (Guild of the armourers and swordsmiths)Florence, Bargello (in copied niche). Copy at original site
Madonna and Child with Two Angelstabernacle, reliefterracotta, originally primed and painted96.5 × 67.5 × 13.5c.1415–1420unknownPrato, Museo di Palazzo Pretorio (since 1871, Inv. 1876)
Prophets:
  • Beardless Prophet
  • Bearded Prophet
(Profeta pensieroso)
statues in niches (first two of six)marble190 × 59 × 43,
193 × 64 × 44 (incl. plinth)
1416–1418 and 1418–1420Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, Campanile (all four on north side were moved to the east side in 1464)[10]Florence, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (copies on east site)[11]
Lion with coat of arms of Florence (Marzocco)statue on columnsandstone (macigno), marble, rosso di Maremma135.5 × 38 × 601418–1420Florence, Santa Maria Novella, stairs to papal chambersFlorence, Bargello
Saint John the Baptist
with Nanni di Bartolo, revised unfinished Joshua by Bernardo Ciuffagni[12]
statue in niche (third of six)marble207 × 65 × 441420–1421Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, CampanileFlorence, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (copy on original site)[13]
Saint Louis of Toulouse with niche
perhaps with Michelozzo di Bartolommeo
statue and architecture of aediculabronze, fire-gilded (ormolu), silver, enamel, rock crystal and marble285 × 101 × 78c.1418–1422Florence, Orsanmichele, east side, niche of the Parte Guelfa, moved c.1440s–1450s to niche above portal of Santa Croce; since 1483 Verrocchio's Doubting Thomas has occupied the original nicheFlorence, Museo dell'Opera di Santa Croce
Madonna and Child (Madonna of the Apple)
attribution and date arguable
reliefterracotta, gesso primer, painted89 × 64 × 28c.1420–1423unknownFlorence, Museo Civici Fiorentini – Museo Stefano Bardini (Inv. MCF-MB 1922-682)
Flagellation of Christ
function, attribution and date arguable
relief, lowmarble46.5 × 57.5 × 5c.1420–1425unknownMoscow, Pushkin Museum, 1893–1945 in Berlin, Kaiser Friedrich Museum (henceforth solely as plaster cast)
Abraham and Isaac
with Nanni di Bartolo
statue in niche (fourth of six)marble188 × 56 × 451421Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, CampanileFlorence, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (copy on east side of Campanile)
Tomb of Antipope John XXIII: tomb effigy. base, statues of virtues, sarcophagus, lunette with Madonna and Child, baldachin
with Michelozzo and Pagno di Lapo Portigiani
Tomb effigy, architecture, reliefmarble, partly painted and gilded, bronze, fire-gilded213 (length of effigy)c.1421–1427Florence, BaptisteryFlorence, Baptistery
Prophet and Sibyl[14]relief, profile bustsmarble64, each1422Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, Porta della MandorlaFlorence, Santa Maria del Fiore, Porta della Mandorla
Madonna and Child (Pazzi Madonna)relief, lowmarble74.5 × 73 × 6.5c.1422unknown; thought to have been owned by the Pazzi familyBerlin, Bode Museum (since 1886, Inv. 51)
Reliquary Bust of Saint Rossore (= Saint Luxorius)[15][16]bust, reliquary with lit and halo (lost)bronze, fire-gilded55 × 58 × 42c.1422–1425Florence, Ognissanti, since 1591 in Pisa, Santo Stefano dei Cavalieri[17]Pisa, Museo nazionale di San Matteo (since 1977)
Prophet Jeremiahstatue in niche (fifth of six)marble191 × 45 × 45c.1423Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, west side of CampanileFlorence, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (copy on original site)
Saint John the Baptist[18]statuebronze, patinated90.5 × 36.5 × 301423–24Orvieto, Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, baptismal font
uncertain
Moscow, Pushkin Museum, 1878 from Palazzo Strozzi until 1945 in Berlin, Kaiser Friedrich Museum (henceforth solely as plaster cast)
Feast of Herodrelief (one on the hexagonal parapet)bronze, fire-gilded60 × 611423–1427Siena, Baptistery, baptismal fontSiena, Baptistery
Madonna and Child with Four Angels (Madonna of the Clouds)reliefmarble34 × 32.1 × 2.8c.1425–1430Florence, Palazzo vecchio di Medici, guardaroba of Cosimo (died 1464); afterwards in possession of Piero del PuglieseBoston, Museum of Fine Arts (Inv. 17.1470)
Prophet Habakkuk (Zuccone)statue in niche (last of six)marble195 × 54 × 381426 – c.1427 and 1435–1436Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, CampanileFlorence, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (copy on west side of the Campanile)
Tomb of Cardinal Rainaldo Brancacci: Annunciation relief
all other design and execution by Michelozzo (and workshop)
relief, low; tomb monument with statues and reliefs, partly painted and gildedmarble74 × 78 (relief)1426–1428Naples, Sant'Angelo a NiloNaples, Sant'Angelo a Nilo
Faith and Hopestatuettes, two (of six) corner figuresbronze, fire-gilded52, each1427–1429Siena, Baptistery, baptismal fontSiena, Baptistery
Ascension with Christ Giving the Keys to Saint Peterrelief, lowmarble41 × 1151428–1430Florence; 1492 owned by Lorenzo de' Medici, then by the Salviati until after 1677[19]London, Victoria and Albert Museum (Inv. 7629-1861)
Blood of the Redeemerreliefmarble39.8 × 671429–1430Siena (province), Torrita di Siena, Oratorio della Madonna delle NeviSiena (province), Torrita di Siena, Chiesa delle Sante Flora e Lucilla
Spiritelli, making music with trumpet resp. tambourinestatuettesbronze, fire-gilded40 × 20 × 15.8
36.2 × 14.7 × 16.2
1429Siena, Baptistery, baptismal fontSiena, Baptistery, baptismal font (with trumpet), Berlin, Bode Museum (Inv. 2653); a third perhaps in Florence, Bargello (Inv. )
links[20]Dovizia (on the Colonna dell'Abbondanza)statue on columnsandstone (macigno)1431Florence, Mercato (vecchio), now Piazza della Repubblicadeteriorated and destroyed in a fall in 1721 (replaced with a version by Giovanni Battista Foggini, itself now replaced by a copy)
Tomb slab for the papal secretary Giovanni Crivellirelief, lowmarble235 × 881432Rome, Santa Maria in Ara CoeliRome, Santa Maria in Ara Coeli
Tabernacle (for the Eucharist)reliefmarble225 × 1201432Rome, Apostolic Palace, Capella ParvaRome (Vatican), St. Peter's Basilica
Altar piece (Cavalcanti Annunciation)relief in tabernacle, group of six statuettessandstone (macigno), painted white/gray with gilding
terracotta (spiritelli)
419c.1433–1435Florence, Santa Croce, for the Cavalcanti family chapelFlorence, Santa Croce
Pulpit for organ or singers, Cantoriareliefs of triforium on corbels and columnsmarble, mosaic, bronze348 × 5701433–1439Florence, Santa Maria del FioreFlorence, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
Coronation of the Virgin (design)[21]leadlight, oculuscartoonc.3801434–1437Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, eastern arch of the crossing (above the choir)Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore
Pulpit of the Holy Girdle

in part by workshop

by Michelozzo[22]

  • Architecture

planned with Michelozzo, executed by workshop (Pagno di Lapo Portigiani) and specialists on the spot

reliefs (seven)marble, mosaic (glass casting, glazed ceramic, formerly gilded tesserae) for parapet
bronze, fire-gilded (capital)
77 × 86 × 12 (each relief)
94.5 × 143.5 × 50 (capital)
1434–1438 (parapet, after new contract)
commission of 1428, cast of capital at the end of 1433
Prato, Cathedral (then Pieve di Santo Stefano), southwest corner of façadePrato, Cathedral and Cathedral Museum (1976, Inv. AGJ2748, [...] and AGJ1829); copies on original site
Old Sacristy[23]
  • eight tondi with four scenes of the life of Saint John and the four Evangelists sitting at their desks
  • two lunettes with Saints Stephen and Lawrence (l), and Cosmas and Damian (r)
  • two doors with twenty pairs of arguing martyrs (l) and apostles (r), five on each leaf, architectural frames and
  • decoration on supports

architecture designed by Filippo Brunelleschi
no documents; first source is Filarete, Trattato, 1460–1464

reliefs, architectural framesbronze (doors), painted stucco (tondi and lunettes), sandstone (macigno)c.215 d (tondi without molding)
c.215 × 180 (lunettes without frame)
235 × 109 (each door with ten reliefs of 36.5 × 33.5 l, 34.5 r, both 35 at bottom)
1434–1443Florence, San LorenzoFlorence, San Lorenzo
Feast of Herodrelief, lowmarble50 × 71.3 × 5c.1435unknownLille, Palais des Beaux-Arts (Inv. Pl 1912)
Madonna and Child (Goretti Miniati Madonna)reliefmarble62.6 × 43.5 × 5c.1435unknownFlorence, Bargello (Inv. Sc 470)
Dead Christ Tended by Angels (Imago Pietatis)
function, attribution and date arguable
relief, lowmarble80.5 × 114.3 × 6c.1435unknownLondon, Victoria and Albert Museum (Inv. 7577-1861)
David with Sword and Severed Head of Goliath (bronze David)statue on column (lost or as remains, original height over 2 m)bronze, partly fire-gilded
marble (attributed column remains)
1591435–1440Florence, Casa Vecchia de' Medici, perhaps at first in the old Medici palace; after 1457 in the court of Palazzo Medici; 1495 in the court of Palazzo della SignoriaFlorence, Bargello
Spiritello (Amor-Attis)statuebronze, partly fire-gilded103 × 55 × 45c.1435–1440FlorenceFlorence, Bargello (since 1778, Inv. Br. 448)
Spiritelli candle-holders (two)statuettes, candelabrabronze, gilding58.5 × 42 × 28
65 × 32.5 × 22
c.1436–1438Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, for organ pulpit by Luca della RobbiaParis, Institut de France, Musée Jacquemart-André (Inv. MJAP-S 1773-1 and 2)
Saint John the Baptiststatuewood, gesso primer/stucco, painted and gilded1438Venice, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei FrariVenice, Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Saint Lawrence
attribution and date arguable
half figureterracotta, formerly painted74.5 × 62c.1440private ownership
Madonna and Child (Dudley Madonna)relief, lowmarble27.2 × 16.5 × 2c.1440unknownLondon, Victoria and Albert Museum (Inv. A.84-1927)
Madonna and Child (Piot Madonna)reliefterracotta, wax, glass, formerly gilded74 × 75 × 7c.1440unknownParis, Louvre (since 1890, Inv. RF 3967)
Madonna and Child (Madonna of the Cherubs)relief with intarsiaterracotta, gesso primer/stucco, painted and gilded99.6 × 69.5 20c.1440–1445unknownBerlin, Bode Museum (since 1888, Inv. 54)
Madonna and Child (Madonna dell'Umiltà Crowned by Two Angels)relief tondo, gilded (in tabernacle by Desiderio da Settignano or Andrea Verrocchio)bronze, fire-gilded27 d
(87 × 51 × 12)
c.1440–1445
(tabernacle shortly after)
unknownVienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Kunstkammer (Inv. KK 7462)
Mary Magdalene (Penitent Magdalene)statuewood, gesso primer/stucco, painted and gilded1881440–1442Florence, BaptisteryFlorence, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
Crucifixstatue on crosswood, gesso primer/stucco, painted192 × 1851440–1445Padua, Santa Maria dei ServiPadua, Santa Maria dei Servi
Saint John the Baptist (San Giovannino Martelli)
function, attribution and date arguable
statue, in the round, with halo and rod with crossmarble, gilded bronze159.5 (165) × 46.5 × 36c.1442Florence, Casa MartelliFlorence, Bargello (1913 from the Martelli family, Inv. Sc. 435)
Crucifixstatue on crossbronze176 × 170 × 411443/44–1448/49Padua, Basilica di Sant'Antonio, rood screenPadua, Museo Antoniano
Madonna and Childrelief, lowterracotta, gesso primer/stucco, painted102 × 74 × 12, 112 kgc.1445–1455Val d'Elsa, Vigliano, San Lorenzo chapelParis, Louvre (1881, Inv. RF 353)
High altar
  • Madonna and Child (Virgin and Child Enthroned) with relief of the Fall of Man on back of throne
  • six standing figures of Saints Francis, Louis of Toulouse, Prosdocimus, Anthony, Daniel and Justina
  • four reliefs with miracles of Saint Anthony
  • twelve reliefs with angels making music
  • Entombment of Christ
statues (7) and 22 reliefsbronze, patinated, partly fire-gilded (statues and reliefs)
limestone (Entombment), white and colored marble (altar)
123–164 (statues)
c. 57 × 123 or 57 (each relief)
1446–1449Padua, Basilica of Saint AnthonyPadua, Basilica of Saint Anthony (19th-century reconstruction)[24]
Gattamelata Monument (Condottiere Erasmo da Narni)Equestrian statue on pedestal with two reliefs and inscriptionbronze, patinated
marble (reliefs and plinth)
sandstone (pedestal)
c.1446–1453Padua, Piazza Sant'AntonioPadua, Piazza Sant'Antonio
Tomb slap of Giovanni Pecci (Bishop of Grosseto, died 1427)relief, lowbronze, enamel inlays with glass, mostly lost249.5 × 106.8 × 31448–1450Siena, Cathedral, crossing, moved to Saint Ansanus chapel (under Pecci patronage) in the 16th centurySiena, Cathedral, Saint Ansanus chapel
Flagellation of Christ and Crucifixion, predella frieze with spiritelli (Forzori Altar);
bozzetto
relief, low, damagedterracotta53.5 × 27.1 × 4.5 (Flagellation)
54.7 × 30.5 × 5 (Crucifixion)
11.2 × 48.5 × 2.3 (predella)
c.1450Florence, owned by Forzori familyLondon, Victoria and Albert Museum (Inv. 7619 1-3-1861)
Madonna and Childrelief, lowterracotta, gesso, painted70 × 55 × 2c.1450unknownParis, Louvre (1986, Inv. RF 744)
Calvary (Camondo Calvary)
function, attribution and date arguable
relief, lowbronze, formerly partly gilded42.8 × 28.7 × 4.51450–1452unknown (private commission)Paris, Louvre (1897, Inv. OA 6477)
Madonna and Child with Four Angels (Chellini Madonna)relief tondo, low, reverse shows negative of relief usable to cast copiesbronze, gilded28.5 d, 2.7, 4.2 kg1450–1455Florence; gift of Donatello to his doctor Giovanni ChelliniLondon, Victoria and Albert Museum (Inv. A.I-1976)
Judith and Holofernessculptural group on triangular pedestal with three reliefsbronze2361453–1457Florence, Palazzo Medici, garden; after 1494 in the Loggia dei Lanzi on the Piazza della SignoriaFlorence, Palazzo Vecchio
Saint John the Baptiststatuebronze185c.1455Siena, CathedralSiena, Cathedral
Bearded Head (Prophet?)
function, attribution and date arguable
bustbronze37 × 23 × 27c.1455FlorenceFlorence, Bargello (Inv. Br. 101)
Madonna and Child (Seggiolino Madonna or Madonna of the Little Chair)reliefterracotta, gilded74.3 × 55.9c.1455London, Victoria and Albert Museum (Inv. 57:1&2-1867)
Calvaryrelief, lowbronze, partly gilded, silver, gilded copper93 × 70 × 3.51455–1465Florence, private commission; from the 16th century owned by the MediciFlorence, Bargello (Inv. Br. 443)
Horse's Head (Protome Carafa)
function, attribution and date arguable
protome, probably part of an equestrian statue not executedbronze187 × 185 × 801456Naples, Castel Nuovo, triumphal arch (planned, commission by Alfonso of Aragon, died 1458)Naples, Museo Archeologico Nazionale (Inv. 4887), from the Palazzo Carafa
Madonna and Child (Madonna del Perdono)reliefmarble, white and colored91 × 88.2c.1458Siena, Cathedral, Vergine delle Grazie chapelSiena, Museo dell'Opera del'Duomo
Lamentation over the Dead Christ;
probably a bozzetto
relief, chasingbronze32.1 × 41.7 × 6.31458–1460Siena; probably planned for the bronze doors of the CathedralLondon, Victoria and Albert Museum (Inv. 8552-1863)
Passion and Resurrection scenes completion by Bartolomeo Bellano, Bertoldo di Giovanni and others
original function unclear
reliefs (), mounted into a free-standing chancel in the 16th centurybronze123 × 2921461–1466Florence, San LorenzoFlorence, San Lorenzo

Arguable attributions, casts, variants and works after models by Donatello

Image Attribution Subject/Name Form Material Dimensions
(in cm)
Year Location
Donatello attributed[25]Madonna and Childreliefterracotta, gesso primer/stucco, painted, wooden back102.5 × 62.2 × 28.3c.1410–1415Washington, National Gallery of Art, Samuel L. Kress Collection (Inv. 1943.4.93)
Nanni di BartoloMadonna and Childstatueterracotta, painted48 × 35 × 11.5c.1420–1425Berlin, Bode Museum (since 1913, Inv. M 7174)
Donatello workshopMadonna and Child with Four Angels (Hildburgh Madonna)
function, attribution and date arguable
relief, lowmarble41.5 × 32.5 × 3.4c.1420–1430London, Victoria and Albert Museum (Inv. A.98-1956)
after Hildburgh Madonna attributed to DonatelloMadonna and Child, Two Angels, Saint Bartholomew and a Crowned Sainttabernacle, reliefstucco, gilded and painted40.6 × 30.5 (relief)
76.2 × 38.1 × 7.5
c.1420–1430London, Victoria and Albert Museum (Inv. 93-1882)
Donatello attributedNativity of Christ
(Ford Nativity)
reliefterracotta, formerly painted and gilded47 × 35.6 × 8.3
(incl. frame:
82.6 × 48.3 × 8.3)
c.1420–1430Detroit, Institute of Arts (Inv. F76.92)
Donatello attributedMadonna and Child
(Mellon Madonna)
statueterracotta, painted and gilded120.8 × 47.2 × 33.5c.1422Washington, National Gallery of Art, A. Mellon Collection (Inv. 1937.I.112)
Donatello attributedThe Baptism of Christrelief, lowmarble63.5 × 40.5after 1425Arezzo Cathedral
after DonatelloMadonna and Child in a nicherelief, lowbronze, silvered20.5 × 15.5 × 1, 2.54 kgc.1426–1430 (prototype)Berlin, Bode Museum (Inv. 3044)[26]
after DonatelloMadonna and Child in a nicherelief, lowbronze, gilded20.4 × 15.3 × 8c.1426–1430 (prototype)Washington, National Gallery of Art, Samuel L. Kress Collection (Inv. 1957.14.131)
after DonatelloMadonna and Child (Maria lactans)relief, lowlead11.3 × 9.3c.1430Berlin, Bode Museum (Inv. 1028)[27]
unknown, perhaps Michelozzo di BartolomeoMadonna and Child before a nicherelief, low, plaquetteCopper alloy9.8 × 7.8c.1430London, Wallace Collection (Inv. S299)[28]
after DonatelloSpiritelli with Escutcheonrelief, lowsandstone (pietra serena?), probably originally painted59.5 × 61 × 5c.1432Berlin, Bode Museum (since 1916, Inv. 7210)
Paolo Schiavo, painted and framed relief after model by DonatelloMadonna and Child Between Angels, God the Father, Eve and a Crowned Prophettabernacle, reliefstucco (relief) in wooden framing, painted and gilded12.1 × 9.5 (relief)
36.5 × 20.2 × 5.2
c.1435London, Victoria and Albert Museum (Inv. A.45-1926)
perhaps Donatello workshopSpiritello with Fishstatuette, probably from a font at a wallbronze40.5 × 40.4 × 11, 7 kg1435–1440London, Victoria and Albert Museum (Inv. 475-1864)
after DonatelloMadonna and Child
(Pugliese Dudley Madonna)
relief, lowstucco, painted31.5 × 21c.1440 (prototype)Berlin, Bode Museum (Inv. 2627)
after DonatelloVirgin and Child with Seven Angels (with coat of arms of the Pazzi family)relief, low, plaquettebronze18 × 17.5 × 2, 1,47 kg1440–1450Berlin, Bode Museum (2847)[29]
Desiderio da Settignano, alt. Donatello attributedBust of Niccolò da Uzzanoportrait bustterracotta, painted46 h1440–1455Florence, Bargello
perhaps Donatello workshopMadonna and Child
(Madonna dei Cordai)
reliefstucco, leather, glass and wax on wood, painted, gilded and silvered93 × 781440–1460Florence, Museo Bardini
after DonatelloMadonna and Childrelief, lowstucco, painted99 × 66.6 × 11.5c.1450 (prototype)Berlin, Bode Museum (Inv. 2634)
Donatello workshopMadonna and Child (copy of Pazzi Madonna)relief in tabernacleterracotta, painted and gilded70 × 55 × 2 (relief only)c.1450Paris, Louvre (Inv. RF 744)
Donatello attributedPlaying Cherubs
(Spiritelli)
reliefbronze4.8 × 8.4 × 0.51450s (mid-15th century)Detroit, Institute of Arts (Inv. F70.32)
Donatello attributedCoat of arms of the Martelli Familyreliefsandstone (macigno), primer, painted109.21450s (mid-15th century)Detroit Institute of Arts (1925, Inv. 25.156)
Donatello attributed or the model executed under his direction by the workshop of Desiderio and Geri da Settignano[30]Coat of arms of the Martelli familyreliefsandstone (pietra serena), partly painted and gildedc.1455Florence, Bargello (Inv. 532 S)
Desiderio da Settignano[31]Coat of arms of the Boni familyreliefsandstone (pietra serena)215.9 × 74.3c.1456–1458Detroit, Institute of Arts (Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Edsel B. Ford, Inv. 41.124)
after DonatelloCrucifixionrelief, lowstucco on poplar with remnants of gilding, original wooden frame36.5 × 26.6 × 4, frame: 53.5 × 45 × 7.51460–1466Berlin, Bode Museum (since 1883, Inv. 53)
Cast after a lost model attributed to DonatelloDavid with the Severed Head of Goliath;
probably a bozzetto
statuette (on later marble base)bronze (after a wax model by Donatello c. 1455)37 × 10.5 × 10.5, 8.32 kg1460–1470 (cast)Berlin, Bode Museum (since 1896, Inv. 2262)
Donatello attributedMadonna and Child with Five Angels;
probably a bozzetto
reliefterracotta, originally painted21.5 × 15.5 × 4.2c.1465Berlin, Bode Museum (Inv. M 88)

Bibliography

  • Horst W. Janson (1957). The Sculpture of Donatello (2 Vol.). Princeton: Princeton University Press. Archive URL of the 1963 edition in one volume with fewer images.
  • John Pope-Hennessy (1996) [1958]. An Introduction to Italian Sculpture, Vol. 2: Italian Renaissance Sculpture (4., revised ed.). London: Phaidon.
  • Francesco Caglioti with Laura Cavazzini, Aldo Galli and Neville Rowley (2022). Donatello. The Renaissance. Venice: Marsilio Arte. ISBN 979-12-5463-006-8.
  • Neville Rowley with Francesco Caglioti, Laura Cavazzini and Aldo Galli (2022). Donatello. Erfinder der Renaissance. Leipzig: E. A. Seemann. ISBN 978-3-86502-482-4.

Further reading

Notes

References

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