'Madonna of the Clouds' by Donatello

The 'Madonna of the Clouds' was made about 1425– 1435 by Donatello.

Donatello, or Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi (c. 1386 – 13 December 1466), was born in Florentine, Italy. He was a famous sculptor of the Renaissance.

Donatello studied classical sculpture. Then he innovated it as a sculpture's Renaissance style.

This artwork made Donatello become one of the most innovative sculptors in the history of European sculpture.

Donatello carved this image in a flattened relief where only a few millimeters come up from the background of the marble. He was able to achieve a great sense of depth despite the flatness of the relief carving. He developed the technique of flattened relief to help create an illusion of space that was important to early Renaissance artists.

The Madonna sits as if on the ground to convey the idea of humility, but Donatello sets her in the clouds, so she also becomes Queen of Heaven. Madonna's sad face seems to forebode Christ Child’s tragic future.