Desiderio da Settignano, Baby Jesus Blessing
(Gesu bambino benedicente), c. 1450-1464
Desiderio da Settignano and Donatello,
Martelli Saint John, ca. 1440-1457
Settignano appears to have reached the pinnacle of sculptured heights through this one sculpture alone. Others were in appreciation of this sculpture but even though they were of a very high standing this was the achievement that took Settignano closest to God. You feel that there were different influences in this part of Italy than others of this time and given the closeness of Germany and France, one would expect different influences than those down the south of Italy that were inhabited by the Greeks and the Spanish. Settignano appears to be of a different nature to other artists in Florence during this period of Italian Renaissance. The refinement of his nature appears to be influenced by Gothic Northern sculptures rather than anything else. And given his short life span the sculptures have a refinement beyond anything on the same short ascension to God.
Desiderio da Settignano and Donatello,
Martelli Saint John, ca. 1440-1457
Desiderio da Settignano, Portrait of a Child, c. 1455-1460
