Saint John the Baptist
Donatello, Giuseppe Lelli (cast maker)No image available
- Artist
-
Donatello
Firenze 1386/1387 – 1466 Firenze
Giuseppe Lelli
(cast maker)
Firenze
- Dated
- 1457 (original), 1909 (cast)
- Classification
- sculpture, plaster cast
- Medium
- plaster cast
- Dimensions
- 190 cm
- Inv.no.
- Rg.181
- Department
- Sculptures - Plaster casts
- Current Location of the Original Artwork
- Italy, Siena, Cathedral
The sculpture of Saint John the Baptist placed in one of the chapels of the Siena Cathedral is a late masterpiece of Donatello. The sculptor moved to Siena in 1457 and worked there for four years; it was during this period that he made the bronze statue of Saint John the Baptist as well. The right arm of the Saint is a later addition. The Museum commissioned the plaster cast in 1909, and exhibited the copy one year later in the Renaissance Hall. It was probably lost during World War II, the current whereabouts of the artwork are unknown.