Donatello portrays Gattamelata as a composed, alert and watchful leader. The depiction of force of character and the reference to the power of real people flows with the Renaissance themes of individualism and humanism. The horse echoes the alert, self-contained and courageous air of the rider.
Erasmo da Narni, the subject of Donatello's Gattamelata, was a powerful and illustrious Venetian nobleman and condottiere (mercenary). His military victories were well-known throughout the Italian city-states of the Pre-Renaissance period and his family was well respected.
Donatello’s sculpture was built in 1469; it celebrates a victory form the Hebrew Bible over the giant Goliath. Donatello portrays David as life size freestanding male towering over the head of the goliath representing a classical tradition. This was the first sculpture of its time to be completely nude.
DONATELLO'S GATTAMELATA 841 Donatello's equestrian monument, which was finished long before the actual tomb, bears his own signature (OPUS DONATELLI. FLO.), and had two important memorial inscriptions associated with its creation and dedication. These two inscriptions are germane to the argument presented here.
