Donatello explained to kids

Donatello was an Italian Renaissance artist who lived from 1386-1466. He was a master of sculpture and is known for his work on the statues of David and Mary Magdalene. Donatello was born in Florence, Italy. His full name was Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi. He gets his last name from his father, who was a wool comber. Not much is known about his early life, but it is believed that he first apprenticed under the artist Ghiberti. He later studied under Brunelleschi, the architect who designed the dome of the Florence Cathedral. Donatello's first major work was the statue of David, which was completed in 1408. The statue was originally placed in the courtyard of the Palazzo Vecchio, the city hall of Florence. It is now in the Museum of the Bargello. The statue of David is considered one of the most important works of Renaissance art. In 1411, Donatello was commissioned to create a statue of St. Mark for the Florence Cathedral. The statue was placed on the cathedral's facade. In 1423, he was commissioned to create a bronze statue of the Biblical hero Goliath. This statue is now in the museum in Palazzo della Signoria, the city hall of Florence. Donatello also created the Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata, which is a statue of a Renaissance general on a horse. The statue is located in the city of Padua in Italy. In 1450, Donatello created the bronze statue of Mary Magdalene for the church of Santa Croce in Florence. The statue shows Mary with long hair and no shoes. It is considered one of Donatello's masterpieces. Donatello died in 1466. He was buried in the church of Santa Croce in Florence.