Britannica Sources used in this answer

How did Donatello’s time in Rome affect his art?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Donatello: David — Donatello *David*, bronze sculpture by Donatello, early 15th century; in the Bargello Museum, Florence.

Donatello’s extended stay in Rome from 1430 to 1433 significantly influenced his artistic development by providing him with a vast repertory of forms derived from ancient art.1

This period of study allowed him to deepen his knowledge of Classical antiquity, which he subsequently integrated into his work in a daring and original manner. The impact of this experience is clearly visible in works such as the Annunciation tabernacle in Santa Croce and the Cantoria (singer’s pulpit) in the Duomo, both of which display a vastly increased range of forms inspired by his Roman observations.21

Furthermore, his exposure to ancient visual examples during this time contributed to his ability to move away from the standards of his contemporary, Filippo Brunelleschi, leading to an unorthodox ornamental vocabulary that often blurred the distinctions between architectural and sculptural elements.1