1. Donatello
he masterfully uses linear perspective in the service of psychological realism
he constructs his work by paying careful attention to optical effects
his figures in both their expressions and/or their postures convey an emotional intensity that is unparalleled by any other sculptor

2. Pazzi Madonna 1420-30s Marble, 75 x 70 cm Staatliche Museen, Berlin
Donatello
Pazzi Madonna s Marble, 75 x 70 cm Staatliche Museen, Berlin
Donatello
Pazzi Madonna s Marble, 75 x 70 cm Staatliche Museen, Berlin

3. c. 1430 Bronze Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
Donatello
David (detail)
c Bronze Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
Donatello
David (detail)
c Bronze Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence

4. Pietà 1447-50 Bronze, 58 x 56 cm Basilica di Sant'Antonio, Padua
Donatello
Pietà Bronze, 58 x 56 cm Basilica di Sant'Antonio, Padua
Donatello
Pietà Bronze, 58 x 56 cm Basilica di Sant'Antonio, Padua

5. Donatello
Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata Bronze, 340 x 390 cm Piazza del Santo, Padua
Donatello
Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata Bronze, 340 x 390 cm Piazza del Santo, Padua

6. Donatello
Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata Bronze, 340 x 390 cm Piazza del Santo, Padua
Donatello
Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata Bronze, 340 x 390 cm Piazza del Santo, Padua

7. 1455-60 Bronze Palazzo Vecchio, Florence
Donatello
Judith and Holofernes
Bronze Palazzo Vecchio, Florence
Donatello
Judith and Holofernes
Bronze Palazzo Vecchio, Florence
Judith and Holofernes, the famous bronze sculpture by Donatello, bears the implied allegorical subtext that was inescapable in Early Renaissance Florence, that of the courage of the commune against tyranny.
The account of the beheading of Holofernes by Judith is given in the deuterocanonical book of Judith, and is the subject of numerous depictions in painting and sculpture. In the story, Judith, a beautiful widow, is able to enter the tent of Holofernes because of his desire for her. Holofernes was an Assyrian general who was about to destroy Judith's home, the city of Bethulia, though the story is emphatic that no "defilement" takes place. Overcome with drink, he passes out and is decapitated by Judith; his head is taken away in a basket (often depicted as carried by an elderly female servant). Artists have mainly chosen one of two possible scenes (with or without the servant): the decapitation, with Holofernes prone on the bed, or the heroine holding or carrying the head.

8. 1455-60 Bronze Palazzo Vecchio, Florence
Donatello
Judith and Holofernes
Bronze Palazzo Vecchio, Florence
Donatello
Judith and Holofernes (detail) Bronze Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

9. detail: Judith and Holofernes
Donatello
Judith and Holofernes (detail) Bronze Palazzo Vecchio, Florence
Donatello
detail: Judith and Holofernes

10. detail: Judith and Holofernes
Donatello
Judith and Holofernes (detail) Bronze Palazzo Vecchio, Florence
Donatello
detail: Judith and Holofernes

11. Height: 188 cm Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence
Donatello
St Mary Magdalen c Wood
Height: 188 cm Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence
Donatello
St Mary Magdalen c Wood, height: 188 cm Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Florence

12. Donatello
detail of the Deposition from the Pulpit at San Lorenzo, Florence
Deposition 1465 Bronze, height c. 100 cm San Lorenzo, Florence

13. detail of the Deposition from the Pulpit at San Lorenzo, Florence
Donatello
detail of the Deposition from the Pulpit at San Lorenzo, Florence
Deposition 1465
Donatello
detail of the Deposition from the Pulpit at San Lorenzo, Florence
Deposition 1465 Bronze, height c. 100 cm San Lorenzo, Florence