Donatello was a Renaissance sculptor who revolutionized Western art by bringing emotional realism, individuality, and psychological depth back into sculpture. 

Born in Florence (c. 1386), he broke away from the stiff Gothic style dominant in medieval Europe and pioneered techniques such as schiacciato, a shallow relief method that created dramatic depth with minimal carving. His figures, whether biblical heroes like David or somber prophets, appeared human, vulnerable, and alive. 

Donatello’s work influenced generations of artists, including Michelangelo, and helped define the humanist spirit of the Renaissance by placing real human experience at the center of artistic expression.