‘Gattamelata’ by Donatello, 1444 (Religious Sculpture in Venice)

when was it made?

1444

what does Gattamelata translate to?

honeyed cat

where was it located?

Padua city (geographically closest to Venice) was the centre of education and humanists (has the oldest university in the world)

what does Venice to to Padua?

Venice takes Padua and expands over Northern Europe and becomes the Venetian empire

who does it depict?

The work is of a mercenary (a paid or hired soldier) called Erasmo da Narni, paid for by the Venetian army

where is his body?

His body is in the church of San Antonio, meaning it is a site of pilgrimage

who was it cimmissioned by?

The work was commissioned by Erasmo’s family to commemorate him, the work was given by the Venetian empire and helped fund it

what does the sculpture act as?

He is a watchful guardian of Padua and as an extension, the Venetian empire

what is significant about the work?

it was the first equestrian sculpture cast in the cire perdue technique since antiquity

what was it inspired by?

He was inspired by the sculpture of Marcus Aurelius that he would have seen in Rome in 1407

how is he given to us?

Shown as alert, planted in his seat, commanding, authoritative

what key areas are references to antiquity and renaissance ideas?

• Shown as alert, planted in his seat, commanding, authoritative

• The proportions are much better observed than Marcus Aurelius

• The hoof is raised but rested on a canon ball

• The horse is turning in space, verismo and naturalism created

• The horse looks alert, flared nostrils, pulsing veins and open mouth

• On his breastplate there is the winged medusa, a nod to antiquity, formidable quality

• Naturalistic details, baton and sword as well as spiked on boots