Title: An Antique Model for Donatello's MarbleDavid
Abstract: Donatello's marble David (Figs. 1, 2, 5) has generally been considered in essence a representative work of the International Style1 and inspired by the early manner of Ghiberti, in whose workshop the young sculptor had been active.2 The David's “Gothic” posture is reminiscent, for example, of the pose of the shepherd at the far right in Ghiberti's Nativity panel and of the Magi in the scene of the Adoration from the north door of the Florentine Baptistery.3 The same stance appears in numerous stylistically related works of the first decade of the Quattrocento, the ascendant years of the International Style in Florence, such as the Isaiah by Nanni di Banco (the David's intended companion on the Cathedral tribune)4 and the curious Boston St. Christopher.5 The implication of this historical assessment of the marble David is clear: in the trajectory of Donatello's subsequent career, the “Gothic” figure would be a false, if fashionable, start; only with the St. Mark, begun three years later in 1411, would Donatello emerge from Gothic shadows to create his first “true” work of Renaissance sculpture.6
Publication Year: 1968
Publication Date: 1968-09-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 1
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot