"St. Mark"

Donatello sculpted this work for the linen weaver’s guild in Florence.

He produced the statue sometime between 1410 and 1414 during the early portion of his career. Like any other work from Donatello, this one also presents a very high level of realism that is undeniable to anyone who views the statue.

Shortly after it was completed, however, the leaders of the linen weaver’s guild are said to have been unsatisfied with Donatello’s work, claiming that some aspects of the statue were not properly proportioned.

According to a book written by Vasari, Donatello promised to make alterations to the statue, but merely covered the work with a cloth and placed it into the niche where it had been planned to be displayed.

After not touching the sculpture for a span of two weeks, Donatello once again presented the work, which this time was approved and praised for its quality.