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How Did Donatello Tell The Story Of The Annunciation

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In your own words, explain how Donatello has told the story of The Annunciation in sculpture and why contemporaries were so impressed with his achievement.

Donatello is considered to be one of the most influential artists of the 15th century. A

member of the innovative group of painters, architects and sculptors that revolutionised art in

Florence at the beginning of the 15th century, he succeeded in becoming perhaps the most successful

in his field due to his understanding of the aspects of classical sculpture and the creative and

emotive way in which he adapted them to his own works. In particular, his reliefs surpassed all

others of the time in terms of their dramatic effect and complexity of character placement …show more content…

[3]“The artist's eagerness to produce something as thoroughly “all'antica” as possible, is evidently

responsible for the poor taste of this mixture of decorative features borrowed from various

monuments”

The story of the Annunciation is one that focuses on the centuries-long Islamic perspective of

judgement and expectation of others, especially women. Set during a period of time where the

sacred nature of a woman's purity was highly valued, the angel Gabriel's message to the Virgin

Mary was not one entirely void of danger and aprehension. An unwed mother would undoubtedly

be persecuted by her peers and this is the danger that Mary faced with the deliverance of the news.

Donatello's job was to not only create a skilled and beautiful piece of art but also to depict the

varying emotions of the scene in such a way as to convey to his audience the true story of the

Annunciation in all it's different aspects.

The placement of the figure of the Virgin is especially successful in displaying a sense of shock on

her part. Frightened by the appearance of the angel, she has delicately turned her body away from

him to the left while her right arm covers her left breast in surprise. He left arm hangs lower as she

clasps a book

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