In the world of Renaissance art, terracotta reliefs are of crucial importance to sculptors, similar to that of drawings to painters. These sketches are not just preliminary studies, but works of art in themselves. Recently, an important discovery has brought to light the missing half of a work by Donatello, one of the most illustrious masters of the Renaissance.
The story of this discovery dates back to 1916, when during the renovation of the church of Santo Stefano in Ferrara, part of a terracotta relief attributed to Donatello was discovered. This piece was later donated to the Schifanoia museum, but in 1921 it was stolen and disappeared into thin air. Recently, Marco Scansani, 32, a researcher at the University of Trento and a specialist in Renaissance sculpture, found the missing half of the work in a private collection in Ferrara.
“This discovery represents the funeral of the Virgin; the relief found shows the second half of the master’s work”, says Scansani. In addition to the incomplete sketch, two other terracottas were found in the same collection that could also be attributed to Donatello.
The dating of the relief is estimated around 1450, the year in which Donatello was actively documented in Ferrara. However, the final destination of these artistic works remains unknown. Scansani emphasizes that many similar sketches and study tests existed in Renaissance workshops, but few have reached us. “The significance of this find is remarkable,” explains Scansani. “Donatello was known for accepting commissions that he often did not complete; he was a figure much sought after by noble families of the time.”
This discovery not only enriches the artistic panorama of the Renaissance but also raises questions about the production and commissions of artists of the time. The rediscovery of Renaissance sketches could open new avenues for historical and artistic research. At a time when interest in historical art continues to grow, the discovery of the missing half of Donatello’s relief offers a starting point for broader reflections on the value of conserving and studying lost works of art.
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