DONATELLO
(b. ca. 1386, Firenze, d. 1466, Firenze)

St Prosdocimus

1447-50
Bronze, height 163 cm
Basilica di Sant'Antonio, Padua

This statue was executed for the High Altar of the Basilica.

St Prosdocimus was the first bishop of the town of Padua. He is accordingly depicted wit a mitre and crosier. A further attribute he is presenting is the can which he is just supposed to have used to baptize St Justina. His knitted eyebrows and mighty beard give him a grim expression. The vertical strips of his lower garment are covered by the complicated way the folds of his cloak are wrapped around his body.