St. George at The Kiev Museum of Western and Oriental Art, Ukraine

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Donatello crafted a statue of St. George for the armorers' guild in Florence, destined for their niche in Orsanmichele's building. As a patron saint of armorsmiths, St. George was known as a military figure who battled Muslim forces in the Holy Land and defeated the dragon in a popular tale. In Donatello's work, St. George stands confidently with his shield in front of him, implying readiness to confront enemies from various directions. The guild enhanced the statue's appearance with special adornments that would be displayed on special days, such as the Feast of St. George. These ornaments included a sword held in his right hand, a helmet, and a belt, which gave the statue a bold metal-on-marble look. The sword projected forward from the niche, making it visible to passersby. Unlike the statue of St. Mark, St. George does not stand in contrapposto; instead, both legs support his weight, with his left foot partially hanging off the base. Donatello's stance suggests stability and immobility, a defensive posture that reflects the political climate surrounding Florence at the time. The statue was created during a period of threats to Florence from more powerful cities, including Milan under Gian Galeazzo Visconti and Naples under a tyrant. The Neapolitan threat was ultimately repelled when the tyrant died from disease. Donatello's depiction of St. George reflects the Florentine spirit of standing tall against enemies. The face of St. George also conveys courage and resolve, with his neck turned slightly to the left, mouth barely open, and pupils gazing upward and to the left. His expression is one of intense concentration, reflected in his wrinkled brow, which complements the statue's posture and creates a memorable statement about the Florentine spirit. This sculpture is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative that aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures for public access. Scan the World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can help. The sculpture was scanned using photogrammetry and processed with Agisoft PhotoScan.