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Student Artwork Guide

Evangelist John

Donatello, 1428

Name Class Date
Donatello, Evangelist John (1428). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Donatello originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/donatello/
Artist’s dates
1386 – 1466
Painted
1428
Medium
Painting
Original size
215 x 215 cm
Movement
Early Italian Renaissance
Period
Renaissance
Artistic style
Early Italian Renaissance Art
Influences
Classical Greek and Roman culture
Notable elements or techniques
Use of stucco, precision and detail
Subject or theme
John the Evangelist

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Donatello died in 1466; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1536.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 25, 2026

Evangelist John — Donatello Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Evangelist John — Donatello

How big is it?

The original measures 215 × 215 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height. It is too large to draw to scale on this page.

When was this painted?

  1. 1380
  2. 1390
  3. 1400
  4. 1410
  5. 1420
  6. 1430
  7. 1440
  8. 1450
  9. 1460

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 80 at death.

Painted when the artist was 42. The artist lived to 80. 38 of the 107 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Donatello (1386–1466) ▲ this work, 1428 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1423 Main working years: 1423–1447 Late works: from 1447

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/donatello-evangelist-john-8EWEWD-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Rosy Brown #aba28b

    Catalogued palette

    • #ABA28B
    • #6E6B5B
    • #383229
    • #D6CDB7

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Main colour name
    Rosy Brown
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Bright How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Donatello over the last twelve months — 15 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 59.0%
    2. 2 Hong Kong 11.4%
    3. 3 United States of America 8.6%
    4. 4 Italy 6.7%
    5. 5 Brazil 3.8%
    6. 6 Germany 1.9%
    7. 7 Austria 1.0%
    8. 8 Switzerland 1.0%
    9. 9 Colombia 1.0%
    10. 10 Czechia 1.0%
    11. · 5 other countries 4.6%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Donatello

    1. 1 David, 1430 7.5%
    2. 2 Pulpit, 1438 3.0%
    3. 3 Evangelist Luke, 1428 3.0%
    4. 4 Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata (detail), 1447 3.0%
    5. 5 Pietà, 1447 3.0%
    6. 6 St George (detail), 1416 3.0%
    7. 7 Pazzi Madonna 3.0%
    8. 8 David 3.0%
    9. 9 Herod's Banquet, 1427 2.2%
    10. 10 Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata (11), 1447 2.2%
    11. 11 Pulpit (on the left), 1465 2.2%
    12. 12 South pulpit, 1460 2.2%
    13. 13 Cantoria (9), 1439 2.2%
    14. 14 Entombment, 1447 2.2%
    15. 15 Annunciation, 1435 2.2%
    16. 16 Madonna and Child between St Francis and St Anthony, 1448 2.2%
    17. 17 Musician Angels, 1447 2.2%
    18. 18 Equestrian Statue of Gattamelata, 1447 2.2%
    19. 19 St John the Baptist, 1438 2.2%
    20. 37 Evangelist John, 1428 this painting 0.7%

    Together these works take 53.4% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 143 works by this artist, of which 68 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 37 of them, with 0.7% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 25, 2026

    Evangelist John — Donatello Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Evangelist John — Donatello

    The Evangelist John painting, created by the renowned artist Donatello in 1428, is a stunning example of Renaissance art. This masterpiece is a testament to Donatello's skill and craftsmanship, showcasing his ability to capture the essence of his subjects with precision and detail.

    The Painting's Significance

    The Evangelist John painting is made from stucco and measures 215 x 215 cm. It is a significant work of art that showcases Donatello's exceptional skill and artistic vision. The painting depicts the story of John the Evangelist, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. The scene takes place in front of a window, which adds depth and lighting to the composition. Key elements of the painting include the old man sitting at a desk with a bird on his shoulder, the chair located near the desk, and another chair seen further back in the room. The presence of these birds adds a sense of life and movement to the otherwise static composition. For more information on Donatello's works, visit Donatello: Evangelist John.

    Artistic Style and Influence

    Donatello's artistic style was influenced by the Early Italian Renaissance Art Movement. This movement marked the beginning of the Renaissance era, which saw a renewed interest in classical Greek and Roman culture. Donatello's works, including the Evangelist John painting, are characterized by their exceptional detail and precision.

    The use of stucco as a medium adds a unique texture to the painting.

    The composition is well-balanced, with a clear focus on the main subject.

    The presence of birds adds a sense of life and movement to the scene.

    For more information on Donatello's artistic style and influence, visit Donatello's Works.

    The Evangelist John painting is a significant work of art that showcases Donatello's exceptional skill and artistic vision. Its unique composition, use of stucco, and attention to detail make it a masterpiece of Renaissance art.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 25, 2026

    Evangelist John — Donatello Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Donatello

    Born in Florence, Italy

    early life and career

    donato di niccolò di betto bardi, known as donatello, was born in florence, italy around 1386. he studied classical sculpture, which heavily influenced his development of an early renaissance style. this new approach to art and culture would eventually become the hallmark of the florentine renaissance.

    key works and innovations

    donatello's most famous work, david, was the first freestanding nude male sculpture since antiquity. commissioned by the medici family, it showcased his innovative style and technical expertise. other notable works include:

    st. louis of toulouse (now in the museum of the basilica di santa croce), which featured a classical frame designed by donatello.

    the sacrifice of isaac, created for the campanile of santa maria del fiore in florence, characterized by strong portrait details.

    crucifix (1425) for santa croce, which portrayed christ in a moment of agony.

    artistic style and legacy

    donatello's style can be divided into broad phases, beginning with the development of expressiveness and classical monumentality. his work was not immediately accepted by the community but eventually became the most popular, influencing other italian courts and european artists. key art movements:

    italian renaissance

    early renaissance

    florentine renaissance art

    personal life and working style

    donatello was known for being amiable and well-liked, but poor at the business side of his career. he tended to accept more commissions than he could handle, often completing works late or handing them over to other sculptors. notable artworks and artists:

    leonardo da vinci: annunciation (detail)

    amico aspertini: statua di pan/leone che azzanna un cavallo

    michelangelo buonarroti: tondo pitt

    museums and art collections:

    museo della collegiata (empoli, italy): a hidden gem of the renaissance, featuring works by francesco botticini and raffaello botticini.

    the early italian renaissance art movement

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Evangelist John

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/donatello-evangelist-john-8EWEWD-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Donatello. Evangelist John. 1428, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/donatello-evangelist-john-8EWEWD-en/
    APA
    Donatello (1428). Evangelist John [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/donatello-evangelist-john-8EWEWD-en/
    Chicago
    Donatello. Evangelist John. 1428. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/donatello-evangelist-john-8EWEWD-en/
    Harvard
    Donatello (1428) Evangelist John. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/donatello-evangelist-john-8EWEWD-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 25, 2026

    Evangelist John — Donatello Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Evangelist John — Donatello

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: old man, bird, desk. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Chellini Madonna, recto, earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Donatello was about 42 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Sept. 25, 2026

    Evangelist John — Donatello Part 5 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    What emotion does "Evangelist John" by Donatello convey?

    The emotional tone recorded for "Evangelist John" by Donatello is reflective. It summarizes the feeling the work expresses.

    Can I use augmented reality to see "Evangelist John" by Donatello in my room?

    "Evangelist John" has an augmented reality preview: the artwork's AR Preview page shows it in your own space on a compatible device.

    How can I view "Evangelist John" by Donatello as a slideshow?

    "Evangelist John" by Donatello can be viewed as a slideshow on the artwork's Diaporama page.