Sydney – The Italian Cultural Institute in Sydney, in collaboration with The Grand Tour Europe, will host the second event in its new series of free virtual guided tours on June 17 at 6 p.m. The online lecture will be led by art historian Mario Bernardi and will focus on the life and work of Donatello, one of the defining figures of the Italian Renaissance. Born in Florence in 1386 as Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi, Donatello is widely regarded as the most influential sculptor of the Early Renaissance. After studying classical sculpture and training as a goldsmith in the workshop of Lorenzo Ghiberti, he developed a close friendship with architect Filippo Brunelleschi and helped shape a new artistic language rooted in humanist ideals. Donatello’s work marked a decisive break from the Gothic style that still dominated much of European art. By drawing inspiration from classical antiquity, he became one of the first artists to revive the spirit of ancient Roman sculpture, laying the foundations for Renaissance artistic expression. Throughout a long and remarkably productive career, Donatello worked in Florence, Rome, Padua and Siena, mastering a wide range of materials including stone, bronze, wood, clay, stucco and wax. Assisted by numerous collaborators, he contributed significantly to the development of Renaissance sculpture and influenced generations of artists who followed. Although he is best known for his freestanding statues, Donatello’s most enduring innovation may have been his development of stiacciato, an extremely shallow bas-relief technique capable of creating remarkable depth and perspective. The method would become highly influential throughout the Renaissance and was later adopted by artists including Michelangelo. The virtual tour will explore Donatello’s artistic legacy and his central role in shaping the course of Western sculpture. (9colonne)