Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance
This first major UK exhibition to explore the exceptional talents of the Renaissance master Donatello, arguably the greatest sculptor of all time, presented a fresh vision of the artist and his influence on subsequent generations.
This exhibition is now closed at V&A South Kensington
★★★★★ Pure magic from marble
The Times
Exhibition highlights
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Lamentation over the Dead Christ, bronze, sculpted by Donatello, about 1455 – 1460, Italy
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View of Florence from the South West, painting, by Francesco Rosselli, about 1495, Florence, Italy
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Drawing of the Massacre of the Innocents, Rennes, Attributed to Donatello, courtesy of Musée des Beaux-Arts
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The Ascension with Christ giving the Keys to St Peter, relief, sculpted by Donatello, about 1428 – 1430, Florence, Italy
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David, by Donatello, Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence, Italy. Courtesy of the Ministry of Culture. Photo: Bruno Bruchi.
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San Rossore, Donatello, by permission of the Ministry of Culture – Regional Directorate of Museums of Tuscany, Florence, Italy
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Madonna of the Clouds, by Donatello. Photo: © 2023. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
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Spiritello with a tambourine, by Donatello, Skulpturensammlung und Museum für Byzantinische Kunst der Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin. Photo Antje Voigt, Berlin
Related events
Past events
Features

Donatello – a master at work
Donatello – a master at work
Discover how Donatello manipulated materials to create masterpieces of Renaissance sculpture

Inside the Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance exhibition
Inside the Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance exhibition
Take a look inside our Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance exhibition

Explore Donatello's masterpiece: 'The Ascension'
Explore Donatello's masterpiece: 'The Ascension'
Shine a light on this masterful marble carving

Donatello's 'David'
Donatello's 'David'
Pre-dating Michelangelo's David, discover Donatello's marble and bronze sculptures of the Biblical hero

Donatello's Florence
Donatello's Florence
Discover 15th-century Florence, Italy, home to Renaissance master Donatello, with our interactive map

Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance – teachers' resource
Use this Key Stage 4 – 5 resource to support a visit to the exhibition, or as inspirational starting points for study back in the classroom.
Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance
Developed as part of a collaborative partnership with Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi and the Musei del Bargello in Florence, and the Staatliche Museen in Berlin.
The Ascension with Christ giving the Keys to St Peter, relief, by Donatello, about 1428 – 30, Italy. Museum no. 7629-1861. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London