St John the Baptist - Venice

The Chapel of St John the Baptist is dominated by the wooden statue of Donatello. The restoration finished in 1973 revealed Donatello's original concept that had been covered over by two repaintings. Thus also the Master's signature and the date of 1438 were rediscovered. It is the only statue by Donatello left in Venice. Mortified by penance, clothed in shaggy hide with a mantel thrown over his shoulders, the Baptist maintains all his admonishing power in the force of his expression and his raised arm.

1457, Bronze, height: 185 cm
Siena Cathedral

St John the Baptist - Siena

The bronze statue of St John the Baptist, documented and dated 1457 on its wooden base, carries on the incessant pulsing that animates the Judith and in its expression of pain and grief comes very close to the wooden sculpture of Mary Magdalen in the Baptistery of Florence.

Bibliography: Emil Kren and Daniel Marx.