A gilded bronze monument of the 170s C.E. This work of art became the blueprint for equestrian monuments honoring military heroes. Donatello sculpted the Gattamelata using the lost wax method, which was standard at the time for bronze statues, but he incorporated an individualism and emotional quality with which other sculptors had yet to experiment. Verrocchio and Donatello were contemporaries and it is likely that Verrocchio was heavily influenced by the Gattamelata.Andrea del Castagno, Equestrian Fresco of Niccolo da Tolentino: A noted example is the fresco of condottiere Niccolo da Tolentino by Andrea del Castagno (also a contemporary of Donatello) on the north door of the Duomo in Florence. Interpretation of Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata Twenty-five feet above the ground on a pedestal, Donatello’s Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata stares straight ahead with a proud and stern expression on his face. 3,384 views. Your email address will not be published. Measuring 340 x 390 cm (the base measuring 780 x 410 cm, it is the earliest surviving Renaissance equestrian statue and the first to reintroduce the grandeur of Classical equestrian portraiture.After its conception, the statue served as a precedent for later sculptures honoring military heroes. Erasmo da Narni, the subject of the Gattamelata, was none of these. The statue depicts Erasmo da Narni, a military leader who was nicknamed Gattamelata. Padova, St. Antonio Basilica. Ghiberti and Donatello: With Other Early Italian Sculptors. To make a bronze statue back then, people had to do something called Lost Wax Casting. Installed in 1453, the statue shows Gattamelata (Erasmo da Narmi), the leader of mercenary troops for the Republic of Venice, astride a massive horse. Forgotten Books, 2010 • Scott, Leader. Equestrian statue of Gattamelata (1453), located in the Piazza del Santo in Padua, is one of Donatello’s most outstanding achievements. His last public commission was the colossal equestrian … The piece was commissioned by the Republic of Venice to memorialize Erasmo da Narni. Found on the Athenian acropolis, the sixth century BC statue known as the Rampin Rider depicts a kouros mounted on horseback. Gattamelata, bronze statue of the Venetian condottiere Erasmo da Narni (popularly known as Gattamelata, meaning “honeyed cat”) by the 15th-century Italian Renaissance sculptor Donatello. Previous equestrian statues had been reserved exclusively for kings and other rulers.Donatello's work is also a remarkable example of the fusion of Renaissance humanism and individualism with classicism. Harry N Abrams, 1993 • Pope-Hennessy, John Wyndham. & Wilkins, David G. Donatello. Donatello and His World: Sculpture of the Italian Renaissance. After the Equestrian statue of Gattamelata was introduced to the art world, it served as a cornerstone for future equestrian pieces and sculptures that were made in that time period, as well as future forms of art. Created by Donatello, this early Renaissance statue, with its focus on naturalism, became the prototype for Western equestrian statues. It was extremely innovative for its time; its clever merging of classical elements with the naturalism of the Renaissance made it extraordinarily popular with other artists of the time and beyond. Their experiences help create this environment, which has changed over time. He rose in ranks to become the General Commander … It still stands where it was first installed in the center of Padua The Equestrian Statue Of Gattamelata is situated... 2. 1370-1443), the "Gattamelata" (speckled cat) who led Venetian forces to victory in the Milanese wars, stands on a high pedestal before the Basilica of Sant'Antonio. Da Narni was a serious military leader, followed and trusted by the fifteenth-century Italians - qualities which Donatello made obvious in his rendering of the famous condottiere. Donatello. Comment. Donatello used emotion rather than trying to create a … Method: The Gattamelata was groundbreaking in many ways. 1) The imposing bronze equestrian statue of the Paduan condottiere Er-asmo da Narni (ca. AN EQUESTRIAN STATUE OF GATTAMELATA AFTER DONATELLO, ITALIAN, 19TH CENTURY Mounted on a stepped marble plinth base, lacking staff 55.5 cm. be the most important marble statue of the fifteenth century. The statue depicts a famous Renaissance condottiere The statue depicts a famous military leader of the Republic of... 3. The statue sits on a pedestal, and bot… All Rights Reserved. This is a very unique and interesting piece. The statue is made of bronze, which is copper mixed with some other metals. At the base of the pedestal are carved two reliefs, one featuring the da Narni coat of arms with two putti on either side, the other of angels clad in battle dress.Moving upward, da Narni's horse is powerfully built and its youthful musculature well-defined, indicative of close study of equine anatomy. The Gattamelata was famous at the time for its departure from traditional equestrian statue subjects. Equestrian Fresco of Niccolo da Tolentino. The work of art from the Renaissance period that I found to be most interesting was the Equestrian Monument of Gattemelata by Donatello. The Equestrian statue of Gattamelata shows a life size replica of Erasmo de Narni on this horse. This speaks to the relationship of soldiers commanding space even in the after life. Just so, why was the equestrian statue of gattamelata created? Both statues reside in an outdoor space near where these soldiers fought. However, evidence of Donatello's personal style is unmistakable in the composition and expressiveness of the Gattamelata.Donatello drew on both the humanism and individualism of the Renaissance as well as elements of classicism to complete the magnificent Gattamelata. Gattamelata is the first Renaissance equestrian statue reintroducing, after more than a millennium, the grandeur of classical equestrian portraiture. Bibliolife, 2008, Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata Page's Content. Instead of portraying Erasmo of Narni larger than life size (the usual way to demonstrate the … 2 faves. It is also believed to be the first equestrian sculpture during the early Renaissance. Christians destroyed most of the sculptures throughout Europe because they were confused for pagan idols. Donatello's Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata was created during the period of time he spent working in Padua. Furthermore, he relied on his own capacity for expression in his work rather than physical dimensions. For the first time artists were able to explore subject matter unrelated to religion.Donatello was one of the leading innovators of the Early Renaissance; he is credited with having bridged the gap between the Renaissance and the Classic world by harmoniously incorporating elements of both into his sculptures. By looking at it, one might see the serious look on Erasmo de Narni’s face and the precise stance of the horse.Erasmo de Narni is meant to look very alert and aware of his surroundings. He “was a powerful and illustrious Venetian nobleman and condottiere. The statue of Marcus Aurelius was not melted down because in the Middle Ages it was incorrectly thought to portray the first Christian Emperor, Constantine. The Gattamelata was produced during the Early Renaissance, a period characterized by the art world's shaky transition out of the staid and largely unimaginative traditions of Gothicism.The Early Renaissance saw the first masters of the time experiment with color, perspective, tone, subject matter and many other aspects of their work. It was completed in 1453 and is unique among his works for still remaining in the location where it was first installed. He also produced some of the first freestanding, life-size sculptures in a time when most artists were still focusing on reliefs.The Early Renaissance paved the way for the High Renaissance and great masters such as Michelangelo, da Vinci and Raphael to name but a few. The sculpture portrays the Renaissance condottiere Erasmo da Narni, known as ‘Gattamelata.’ He mostly served for the Republic of Venice, leading Venetian troops to victory in the Milanese wars. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius on the Capitoline Hill was the prototype for Renaissance equestrian sculptures. high . The Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata is a sculpture by Italian early Renaissance artist Donatello, dating from 1453, [1] located in the Piazza del Santo in Padua, Italy, today.It portrays the Renaissance condottiero Erasmo da Narni, known as "Gattamelata", who served mostly under the Republic of Venice, which ruled Padua at the time.. The Gattamelata was a commissioned piece of work for which Donatello no doubt received clear instructions and guidelines. Though it was conceived in the typical lost wax method, from there Donatello's methods deviate markedly from the norm. This 12 foot tall statue lies in Padua, Italy and was erected in 1453. History and the role of warriors is another thing both statues share as well as there function in society. AN EQUESTRIAN STATUE OF GATTAMELATA AFTER DONATELLO, ITALIAN, 19TH CENTURY Details. 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