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Donatello — Reading Comprehension

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This passage explores the life, works, and influence of Donatello, a master sculptor of the Italian Renaissance. Students will learn how Donatello revolutionized sculpture by creating naturalistic human figures, including his famous bronze David for the Medici family. The passage discusses Donatello’s innovative techniques, his relationships with powerful patrons in Florence, and how his art reflected the values of humanism and individual achievement. It highlights primary sources such as contemporary accounts and Donatello’s surviving works, while analyzing cause-and-effect relationships and changes over time in Renaissance art. Designed for middle school learners, the passage aligns with CA HSS 7.8.3 and CCSS RI.6.1, and supports world history content standards. The resource includes a glossary, differentiated passage, Spanish translations, comprehension activities, and graphic organizers. Read aloud audio and Spanish translation are provided to support diverse learners.

CONTENT PREVIEW

St George Donatello Orsanmichele n1 — "St George Donatello Orsanmichele" by Donatello (Italian, 1386–1466) / Wikimedia Commons.

Donatello was one of the most important artists of the Italian Renaissance. Born in Florence around 1386, Donatello became famous for creating sculptures that looked extremely lifelike and showed deep emotion. Before Donatello, most European sculptures followed Medieval traditions and were often stiff or unrealistic. Donatello changed this by studying the human body and using new artistic techniques to make his figures appear more natural and alive.

Donatello’s early training took place in the bustling city-state of Florence, a center of trade, culture, and innovation. He learned from masters such as Lorenzo Ghiberti, who designed the famous bronze doors of the Florence Baptistery. Donatello also traveled to Rome, where he studied ancient Roman art and architecture. These experiences helped him develop new approaches to perspective and realistic anatomy, which became hallmarks of his work.

One of Donatello’s most famous works is the bronze statue of David, created in the 1440s for Cosimo de’ Medici, head of the powerful Medici family. This statue was the first free-standing nude male sculpture made since ancient times. David stands in a relaxed pose, called contrapposto, with one hand on his hip and a sword in the other. The sculpture shows both youthful beauty and quiet strength, and its detailed features make David seem almost alive. Primary sources, such as letters between the Medici and Donatello, reveal how important this commission was in displaying the family’s wealth and supporting the arts in Florence.

Donatello also worked in marble and wood, creating religious figures like St. George for the guild of armorers in Florence. His relief sculptures, such as the 'Feast of Herod' on the Baptistery font in Siena, used a new technique called schiacciato, or shallow carving, to create a sense of depth and space. Donatello’s art reflected the values of humanism, a Renaissance movement that focused on human achievement and individual potential. His lifelike figures challenged social hierarchies by giving realistic, emotional qualities to both saints and ordinary people.

Donatello’s influence spread beyond Florence as artists from across Europe studied his sculptures. His innovations in anatomy, movement, and perspective helped inspire later masters such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. The Renaissance was a period of great change, and Donatello’s art played a key role in shaping a new vision of the human figure in Western art.

The story of Donatello and his masterpieces shows how geography, social class, and new ideas worked together to transform European society during the Renaissance. His sculptures connect to broader themes in world history, such as the rise of cities, the importance of individual creativity, and the impact of wealthy patrons on the arts.

Interesting Fact: Donatello’s David was once displayed in the Medici palace courtyard, where it amazed visitors with its bold style and lifelike detail.

Where was Donatello born?

FlorenceRomeVeniceMilan

Who was Donatello's famous patron?

Medici familySforza familyBorgia familyGonzaga family

What material is Donatello's David made of?

BronzeGoldMarbleWood

Why was Donatello's David important?

First free-standing nude since ancient timesIt was life-sizeIt was made of goldIt was a painting

How did Donatello influence later artists?

Through anatomy and perspectiveThrough poetryThrough musicThrough architecture

What technique did Donatello use in Siena?

schiacciatofrescomosaicenamel