A master of materials, Donatello sculpted marble, bronze, wood, terracotta and stucco with equal skill. His signature style combined ideas from both classical and mediaeval sculpture, the result new, but with traditional influences. Presenting a fresh vision of Donatello’s genius by bringing together works of art in never-before-seen groups, this exhibition at the V&A blends a chronological approach with recurring themes.

Discover Donatello’s origins in Florence, his first marble sculptures, and the friends, rivals and collaborations he made whilst honing his skills. See his innovative style set within the context of his influences, and later legacy. A collection of bronzes, expensive to commission, include those made for the Duomo cathedral in Florence, while a section on Northern Italy demonstrates the significance that Donatello’s ten-year stay in Padua had on the artistic development of the city. 

Explore the sculptor’s uncanny ability to sculpt emotion, in order to inspire religious devotion, in comparison to his contemporaries and followers – and finally his legacy, illuminated through new research by the V&A.