The Passion Pulpit

These striking reliefs are noted for their expressionistic and violent depictions.

There is no historical document concerning the original purpose or intended location of the two pulpits, which are the subject of much dispute in their present form. At an early date another artist identified many faults in the relief work, which he attributed to Donatello's age and deteriorating eyesight. thiscritic even went so far as to argue that the pulpits were the artist's worst work. Today, critics are less harsh and the San Lorenzo pulpits are celebrated for their intensity of emotion, as depicted in the numerous, tormented figures. There are no known models for Donatello's interpretation of these otherwise traditional biblical scenes.

Covered with reliefs concerning the passion of Christ, the pulpits are works of tremendous spiritual depth and complexity. In the Christ in Gethsemane relief, the disciples are portrayed at the foot of the Mount of Olives, overcome by their sleep, while Christ prays above. The sleepers and their varying contorted forms are positioned to give depth to the scene. The disciples to the right, just below Christ are proportioned smaller, while those further down, are larger in perspective. These lower figures separate the foreground from the landscape and even project out in front of the framing columns, adding further depth.

Donatello spent most of the last years of his life in Florence. His last work of importance was the bronze reliefs for the two pulpits of San Lorenzo, commissioned in c. 1460, and finished after his death by his pupil Bertoldo. The southern pulpit, now known as the Passion Pulpit, features images of Christ in Gethsemane, Christ before Caiaphas and Pilate, the Flagellation, as well as scenes of the Crucifixion, Deposition and Burial of Christ.