Restoration work has just begun on Donatello’s famed equestrian statue of Gattamelata, a medieval masterpiece, thanks to a partnership between the Basilica of St. Anthony, the American nonprofits Friends of Florence and Save Venice, and several generous benefactors. The mid-15th-century bronze statue and its stone base, prominently displayed outside the Basilica in Padua, are receiving much-needed conservation treatment after centuries of exposure have left the monument with significant structural and surface damage.
This historic statue, crafted between 1447 and 1453, portrays Erasmo da Narni, also known as Gattamelata, a condottiero and General Commander of the Venetian army. It was the first life-sized equestrian statue cast in bronze since ancient times, solidifying its place as a pioneering work of Italian art. However, a recent diagnostic assessment identified troubling signs of deterioration, including “bronze disease,” a form of corrosion affecting the statue’s copper-alloy surface. Additionally, the stone base, composed of trachyte and Istrian stone, has suffered erosion, further compromising the monument’s stability.
The restoration is supported by funds from Jon and Barbara Landau through Save Venice and from Stacy Simon via Friends of Florence. The two organizations have a long history of working together to protect Italy’s cultural treasures, most notably in 2016 when they partnered on restoration efforts for the fiftieth anniversary of Venice’s 1966 flood. Simonetta Brandolini d’Adda, President of Friends of Florence, praised the collaboration, noting the shared mission to preserve art for future generations. “We are two foundations supported by donors worldwide who nurture a love of art, history, and beauty, and are committed to preserving cultural heritage for present and future generations,” she said.
The restoration process began with a detailed assessment in 2023 by Nicola Salvioli’s team, acting on behalf of the Pontifical Delegation of the Basilica. Using high-tech imaging, endoscopic analysis, and microscopic examination, the team identified both structural and surface issues. Experts from Padua University’s CIBA (Interdepartmental Archaeological, Architectural, and Art Historical Research, Study and Conservation Centre) also contributed by assessing the statue’s structural stability, including its resilience to seismic activity, to ensure a comprehensive restoration plan.
As the project progresses, conservationists will work on stabilizing the bronze surfaces, addressing corrosion, and reinforcing the stone base. This intricate process requires temporarily relocating the statue to a controlled environment to allow for detailed treatments without further environmental exposure.
Fr. Antonio Ramina, Rector of the Basilica of St. Anthony, expressed deep appreciation for the collaborative support from Friends of Florence and Save Venice. “Donatello’s work is one of the greatest masterpieces of Italian art and fully deserves to be preserved for future generations,” he said, noting that the extensive preliminary analyses have laid a strong foundation for the restoration project now underway.
With the work now in progress, the restoration of Donatello’s Gattamelata is poised to serve as a benchmark for the conservation of monumental bronze statues, reaffirming the commitment of international organizations to safeguarding Italy’s artistic heritage.
Subscribe to Medievalverse
