Which of the following is a famous work by Donatello?

• A. Statue of Gattamelata
• B. The David by Michelangelo
• C. The Thinker
• D. The Birth of Venus

Answer: (A)

Donatello’s statue of Gattamelata is a landmark in Renaissance sculpture, showcasing lifelike realism, classical calm, and a monumental bronze equestrian portrait. Created for Padua in the mid-15th century, it depicts the condottiero Erasmo da Narni (Gattamelata) with a rider who sits poised and authoritative while the horse carries weight and intent in its stance. This work helped revive and redefine the idea of a freestanding equestrian statue, bridging ancient traditions and Renaissance naturalism.

The other famous works listed come from different artists or genres: Michelangelo’s David is by a later Renaissance sculptor; The Thinker is a 19th-century sculpture by Rodin; The Birth of Venus is a Botticelli painting. None of these are Donatello’s, making Gattamelata the correct example.