Donatello - The First Modern Sculptor

Starring:Elizabeth Frink, Peter Rockwell, Henry Moore
Studio: Image Entertainment
Product Type: DVD

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So pervasive is the hand of the gifted sculptor in this docu-biography, he could have earned an end credit. For Donatello: The First Modern Sculptor is a portrait much like he might have sculpted, rich in detail with a story steeped in historical context. The stately art lesson is also part travelogue. The camera moves from Florence to Siena, Venice, Padua, and London, lingering on awe-inspiring works by the "most versatile artist of his or perhaps any century." A narrator reads from church and tax records to fill in little- known details about Donatello, while three contemporary artists comment on the Renaissance master's techniques. (Most notably, Peter Rockwell explains how the artist "drew" on marble.) The star attractions, though, are the dozens of close- ups of pieces by an artist who could bring stone to life. --Valerie J. Nelson

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2004-12-13

Having been to Florence several times over the past few years and gained an appreciation of Donatello's work (especially his wonderful statue of Mary Magdalene), I was looking forward to viewing this DVD. Unfortunately, it proved disappointing. The photography is subpar (partially because many of the statues carried the accumulated grime of centuries, but also due to unimaginative framing), the commentary pedestrian.

Donatello was one of the geniuses of the Renaissance; he deserves better than this.

A genius.......2001-10-30

Charles Avery is perhaps one of the best art historians today. His biography of Donatello is an endearing book. Since he wrote the script, it will be of no surprise that this DVD is a treasure. Donatello was a charismatic character, precursor of all the greatest artists including painters and sculptors who lived during his time. To be able to see all of Donatello's works in one sitting is Charles Avery's gift to the arts and to humanity.

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