The Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata stands in the Piazza del Santo in Padua. Donatello cast it in bronze by the lost wax method, and it dates from 1453. It honors the condottiere Erasmo da Narni, called Gattamelata, who served mostly under the Republic of Venice. Sources disagree on who paid, either Venice or his family.
It is the first full-size equestrian statue of the Italian Renaissance. The statue measures about 11 by 13 feet (3.4 by 3.9 meters) on a base of about 26 by 13 feet (7.8 by 4.1 meters). The horse's raised front hoof rests on a cannonball, a sign of military power.
Donatello drew on ancient art for the sphere under the hoof. The pedestal carries two reliefs with winged putti, one with Gattamelata's coat of arms. In October 2025 the statue was lifted from its pedestal for a restoration expected to last about 18 months.
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