DONATELLO. _Sculptor._
[Born at Florence, 1386. Died there, 1468. Aged 83.]
He was the generous competitor and friend of Lorenzo Ghiberti. Employed
and patronized by Cosmo de’ Medici. Was one of the first Italian
sculptors who gave to their figures freedom of movement and force of
expression. A very fine work of this artist is the equestrian statue of
Gattamelata, in the city of Padua. A cast from it will be found in the
Gothic and Renaissance Sculpture Court. The character of Donatello was
remarkable for simplicity and generosity; he took no thought for
himself, and was devoted wholly to his art.
[This Bust is by Giovanni Ceccarini.]