Sculpture in the Age of Donatello

Sculpture in the Age of Donatello: Renaissance Masterpieces from Florence Cathedral, edited by Timothy Verdon and Daniel M Zolli, 185 pages

As the Duomo of Florence neared completion in the early fifteenth century, the decoration of the cathedral, along with its baptistery and bell-tower, became the field for an informal competition among the leading guilds of the city - like the buildings themselves, the art adorning them was designed both to honor God and proclaim the greatness of the city.  If anything can be said to mark the birth of the Renaissance, it was these projects.  Long since removed from exposure to the elements to the cathedral museum, in 2015 a major renovation of that museum created an opportunity for the works to travel to New York's Museum of Biblical Art for a unique exhibition showcasing works by Donatello, Brunelleschi, Nanni de Banco, and Luca della Robbia.  The catalog of the exhibition not only includes interesting pieces on these, but close examinations of Ghiberti's famous bronze baptistery doors, then in the midst of an extensive cleaning.