Donatello's Equestrian Statue of Gattamaleta

Ryan Otto

World History II

Mr. Angus

November 4, 2014

                                                Donatello's Equestrian Statue of Gattamaleta 

     Donatello is recognized as one of the most influential artists in the Early Rnissance, and was highly instrumental in laying the groundwork for artists to come. His masterpiece, the Equestrian Statue of Gattamaleta, was one of his most innovative and controversial works. It was first commissioned in 1443 by the de Narni family to commemorate the renowned Erasmo de Narni, a Venetian mercenary. When the statue was finally unveiled, it caused a bit of a stir. Up until then, equestrian statues were a symbol of nobility reserved almost exclusively for emperors and kings. Despite this, the statue was well received overall, with critics calling it bold and daring. The genius in the piece lay in the detail Donatello placed in the physiognomy. It was one of the earliest instances of emotion and individuality being shown in the face of the subject. This focus on facial expression proved highly influential in the later years of the Renaissance.