Donatello was born in Florence in 1386. He is known as the son of Nicolo di Betto Bardi, a member of the Florentine Woolcombers Guild. It has been said that Donatello first received his training in a goldsmith's workshop and that he worked a short time in Lorenzo Ghiberti's studio. At that time he was 17 years old. Being a scultpor's assistant he help decorate the fanous bronze doors of the baptistery of San Giovanni, Florence. After that he associated with the architect called Filippo Brunelleschi, he also visited Rome in order to study the monuments.
Many People say that Donatello's career could be divided in three periods or differnt time. There is his formative period which influenced Gothic sculptures that also showed classical and realistic tendencies. The second period which was from (1425-1443) is said to have to been "generally characterized by a reliance on the models and principles of the sculpure of antiquity." In his third period Donatello broke away from his classical and realistic tendencies. He mainly showed the portrayal of character and dramatic action.
Two marble statues that Donatello is well known for is the St. Mark and St. George (both completed c. 1415). The most highly developed of marble sculptor of Donatello is the Feast Of Herod(1433-35). It has been described as "So delicately carved that its full beauty can be only seen only in a strongly raking light and with its perspective background. The last year of Donatello's life were spent designing
