Donatello
Sculptor of Florence
(1383-1466)

Name: pauletoria
Date: 2002-09-20
Comments: the people in the picture looks like they are constantly busy doing something of their own choice. the people in the front are much darker then the people in the back. The work basically shows the busy side of Florence.

Name: dgirton
Date: 2002-11-21
Comments: Actually what this panel represents is the moment when King Herod is brought the head of John the Baptist. You can see the shock and horror as he pulls back in dismay. To the right can be seen Salome who requested the head as payment for dancing. In Donatello's panel (one from a series on the life of John the Baptist) she smiles and looks about to break into dance once more in celebration.

Name:
Date: 2003-11-20
Comments: I recently just studied this work and did a concentration piece on it and found it to be one of the most interesting narratives i have ever studied and would recommend it for others for a good learning experience.

Name: Tyler
Date: 2004-03-02
Comments: What interests me the most about this bronze relief is that the main subject is pushed to the left and the center of the composition (the focal point) is left barren, a bold technique for this time. It is also important to note that this is one of the earilest examples of one-point and scientific perspective. Donatello utilizes the geometric designs of the floor in addition to the hoizontals created by the ceiling to illustrate depth in the work and lead us back into the composition. In 1435 Alberti in his treatise (De Pictura) On Painting will later document a similar model of space for artists to follow.