Judith and Holofernes
by DONATELLO

To his early, free-standing bronze statue of David, Donatello added a late masterpiece of similar quality in the form of his Judith and Holofernes group. Donatello was commissioned to do the sculpture by Cosimo de' Medici between 1455 and 1460 as the decoration for a fountain in the garden of Palazzo Medici (later Palazzo Medici-Riccardi).

In his Judith and Holofernes group, Donatello created an impressive example of his creative power, unbroken and unconventional despite his advancing years. Conceived as a fountain sculpture, the work is not constructed to be looked at from any one predetermined point of view. While Donatello is occasionally credited with producing the first autonomous, free-standing sculptures since classical times, where his Judith is concerned this reputation can be extended to include what was probably the earliest figural group to be devised as a truly three-dimensional work in concept and content.

Preview Picture Data File Info Comment
Judith and Holofernes
1455-60
Bronze, height 236 cm (without base)
Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

1488*1000
True Color
195 Kb



Judith and Holofernes
1455-60
Bronze, height 236 cm (without base)
Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

788*1700
True Color
193 Kb



Judith and Holofernes (side view)
1455-60
Bronze, height 236 cm (without base)
Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

967*1700
True Color
186 Kb



Judith and Holofernes (side view)
1455-60
Bronze, height 236 cm (without base)
Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

977*1700
True Color
200 Kb



Judith and Holofernes
1455-60
Bronze, height 236 cm (without base)
Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

1145*1800
True Color
204 Kb



Judith and Holofernes
1455-60
Bronze, height 236 cm (without base)
Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

833*1500
True Color
188 Kb



Judith and Holofernes (detail)
1455-60
Bronze
Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

905*1200
True Color
189 Kb



Judith and Holofernes (detail)
1455-60
Bronze
Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

1355*1000
True Color
161 Kb



Judith and Holofernes (detail)
1455-60
Bronze
Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

1050*1052
True Color
153 Kb



Judith and Holofernes (detail)
1455-60
Bronze
Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

1432*900
True Color
242 Kb




Summary of sculptures by Donatello
Early works
John XXIII | David | Duomo | Orsanmichele | Siena | Various
Mature works
Cantoria | Basilica di Santo | Prato Pulpit | San Lorenzo | Various
Late works
Judith and Holofernes | Pulpits of San Lorenzo | Various