with Donald Dwyer, Art Historian
Date: Monday, June 16
Time: 2:00 P.M.
In the early 1400’s Florence resisted takeover by the Duke of Milan and victory fostered a spirit of freedom and exciting directions in the arts. The basis for revolutionary development was laid by Lorenzo Ghiberti, who, in 1401, won a competition to decorate the Baptistry doors with bronze reliefs. His work showed an interest in ancient art and scientific perspective that
profoundly influenced his successors. Donatello, greatest sculptor of the era, imagined the body first, as did the ancients, and then covered it with draperies—unlike the elegant, unrealistic Late Gothic. He also showed realism and powerful emotion, Della Robbia followed to create spirited terra cotta reliefs. With Verrochio, last great name of the period, there is no hint
of Late Gothic or even of Donatello’s restrained classicism. His figures exude love of life, passion and drama. Thus, in Florence, a freer, more modern view of art and the world was born.