Attis-Amorino
Attis-Amorino, 1435-40
Donatello
Bronze
Donatello exploited the strength and qualities of bronze to create this joyous and animated figure. Its name is inspired by its open breeches, which suggest the Phrygian shepherd Attis, and the wings of a young cupid (amorino) on its back. But it also has the tail of a faun, the winged feet of Mercury and a snake associated with Hercules, making its identity unclear. Its belt is decorated with poppy pods, a symbol of the Bartolini family who probably commissioned the statue.*
From the exhibition
Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance
(11 February - 11 June 2023)
This first major UK exhibition to explore the exceptional talents of the Renaissance master Donatello, arguably the greatest sculptor of all time, presented a fresh vision of the artist and his influence on subsequent generations.
Donatello (about 1386 – 1466) is arguably the greatest Italian Renaissance sculptor. He revolutionised sculpture both through his inventive treatment of imagery, and his mastery of an extraordinary range of materials – including marble and stone, bronze, wood, terracotta and stucco as well as unusual mixed media. He rarely repeated himself, striving for innovation and never quenching his thirst for experimentation.
Born in Florence around 1386, Donatello is one of the most inventive and influential artists of the Renaissance. Throughout a career lasting over 60 years, his extraordinary sculpture was at the heart of the revolution in art and culture taking place in 15th-century Italy.
Always at the cutting edge, Donatello combined the growing interest in ancient Greece and Rome with familiar traditions. He used a wide variety of materials and techniques, creating innovative sculptures to adorn public and private settings. Through exceptional ingenuity and emotional insight, he captured the essence of the human experience in sculptural form and paved the way for sculptors and painters alike.
This exhibition explores Donatello's creativity and unique vision, his workshop practices and collaborations, and his enduring impact on artists across the centuries.
[*Victoria & Albert]
Taken in the V&A
Attis-Amorino
Attis-Amorino, 1435-40
Donatello
Bronze
Donatello exploited the strength and qualities of bronze to create this joyous and animated figure. Its name is inspired by its open breeches, which suggest the Phrygian shepherd Attis, and the wings of a young cupid (amorino) on its back. But it also has the tail of a faun, the winged feet of Mercury and a snake associated with Hercules, making its identity unclear. Its belt is decorated with poppy pods, a symbol of the Bartolini family who probably commissioned the statue.*
From the exhibition
Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance
(11 February - 11 June 2023)
This first major UK exhibition to explore the exceptional talents of the Renaissance master Donatello, arguably the greatest sculptor of all time, presented a fresh vision of the artist and his influence on subsequent generations.
Donatello (about 1386 – 1466) is arguably the greatest Italian Renaissance sculptor. He revolutionised sculpture both through his inventive treatment of imagery, and his mastery of an extraordinary range of materials – including marble and stone, bronze, wood, terracotta and stucco as well as unusual mixed media. He rarely repeated himself, striving for innovation and never quenching his thirst for experimentation.
Born in Florence around 1386, Donatello is one of the most inventive and influential artists of the Renaissance. Throughout a career lasting over 60 years, his extraordinary sculpture was at the heart of the revolution in art and culture taking place in 15th-century Italy.
Always at the cutting edge, Donatello combined the growing interest in ancient Greece and Rome with familiar traditions. He used a wide variety of materials and techniques, creating innovative sculptures to adorn public and private settings. Through exceptional ingenuity and emotional insight, he captured the essence of the human experience in sculptural form and paved the way for sculptors and painters alike.
This exhibition explores Donatello's creativity and unique vision, his workshop practices and collaborations, and his enduring impact on artists across the centuries.
[*Victoria & Albert]
Taken in the V&A