Donatello . Fig. 120. Magdalen. Florence. Baptistery.(To page 127.) 128 Like so many other works, the Judith group has changed its positionand purpose. It was originally an ornament for the fountain in the courtof the Casa Medici — and therefore of essentially decorative value, like,say the destroyed sandstone figure of Wealth (Dovizia), which stoodon a column at the Mercato Vecchio since 1431. After the banishmentof Piero de Medici the Judith became a public national monument. In1495 it was placed at the entrance of the government palace on thebaluster-shaped basis which once supported the Da
Donatello . Fig. 120. Magdalen. Florence. Baptistery.(To page 127.) 128 Like so many other works, the Judith group has changed its positionand purpose. It was originally an ornament for the fountain in the courtof the Casa Medici — and therefore of essentially decorative value, like,say the destroyed sandstone figure of Wealth (Dovizia), which stoodon a column at the Mercato Vecchio since 1431. After the banishmentof Piero de Medici the Judith became a public national monument. In1495 it was placed at the entrance of the government palace on thebaluster-shaped basis which once supported the David and was now in-. Fig. 121. Bronze Bust. Florence. Museo Nazionale (Bargello). (To page 127.) scribed: Exemplwii Sal. Pub. Gives posuere MCCCCXCV. — In 1504,when Michelangelos David took its place, it was transferred to its presentposition under the side-arch of the Loggia de Lanzi, which is the mostunfavourable position that could be imagined. But even before it wasimpossible to hide the weak points of the composition. They have theirroots partly in the task itself Holofernes is killed, whilst resting intoxicatedon his couch. This could really only be represented in a relief; a groupin the round can only suggest the situation, and Donatello has not triedanything else. Judith stands erect over Holofernes who is sitting on acushion. His legs are hanging to the right and left of a corner of the 129 triangular pedestal, but the body is pulled up by the heroine who, withher left is seizing the head by the hair, and tries at the same time to keepthe body with her knees in an upright position, so as to ena
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