Donatello And The Lost-Wax Method

Donatello and the Lost-Wax Method Donatello is known as one of the most well-known sculptors during the Italian Renaissance. Some art critics say he is the greatest sculptor that lived before Michelangelo. However, before Donatello became notable for his many works, he was born Donato di Niccolo di Betto Bardi around the year of 1386 in Florence, Italy. It is believed that Donatello received his artistic training from a Florentine goldsmith. In 1403, he became an apprentice under artist Lorenzo Ghiberti, and even assisted him in creating the cathedral doors of the Baptistery of the Florence Cathedral. Later in 1409, he completed his first commissioned statue David, which was constructed out of marble. This work followed the popular gothic style during the Italian Renaissance. The statue represented the defiance of authority to the people of Florence.
Over time, Donatello became stronger with his work and it showed through the emotions conveyed through his work. Donatello completed the St. Mark statue in 1413, that stands outside of Orsanmichele Church. The next year, Donatello completed the statue St. John the Evangelist. His style is from a new perspective, one where a sculptor is able to create art that occupies measurable spaces instead of flat backgrounds. In 1425, Donatello traveled with fellow sculptor Michelozzo to
However, this time, the statue of David would be made of bronze. This David represented the civic virtue over brutality, and was the first free standing bronze statue of the Italian Renaissance. When creating this bronze statue, Donatello used a strategy that is known as the lost-wax method. The lost-wax method is a strategy of metal casting that is used to help mold and shape statues, through a number of steps. The lost-wax method involves pouring molten metal into a mold, that has been erected by a wax model. This ceramic method has been used since around 3,000