Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi, known as Donatello, was one of the most innovative sculptors of the early Italian Renaissance. Active primarily in Florence, he transformed sculpture through radical naturalism, psychological intensity, and technical experimentation in marble, bronze, wood, and relief. His work broke decisively with late Gothic conventions and redefined the representation of the human figure, establishing sculptural languages that shaped Renaissance art in Italy and beyond.

Having studied antique sculpture, Donatello rejected the calm idealisation of classical beauty in favour of a more vigorous and expressive style. He emphasised psychological intensity and dramatic action, carefully integrated within their architectural settings. His innovative use of perspective in relief led to the development of stiacciato, an extremely shallow carving technique that created a powerful illusion of depth and allowed narrative scenes to be rendered with unprecedented subtlety and clarity.