ALETEIA
By . M. Traverso
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| Donatello’s crucifix inside Padua’s Saint Mary of the Servants Church (15th century) |
The start of the Renaissance in the 14th century marks a shift in art production compared with the late medieval period. A renewed interest in classicism, an attention to nature and a more individualistic vision of man. One of the most important revolutions in religious art is the deep emphasis on Jesus’ “humanitas” (Latin for “humanity”). Sculptors were interested in evoking empathy towards the human represented on the crucifix rather than reverence for the divine. By taking a look at three crucifixes by Florentine sculptor Donatello, crafted in the 15th century, we can see how the concept of “humanitas” started to play out in early Renaissance religious art. [
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| Sailko | CC BY 2.5
Donatello’s Crucifix, Basilica of Santa Croce, Florence (1406-1408) |
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| A crucifix by late Medieval artist Cimabue (1265) preserved inside Florence’s Basilica of Santa Croce. |
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| Bronze crucifix by Donatello inside Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, Padua (1444-1447) |
