Page:Vasari - Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, volume 1.djvu/495

Rh in this work than in others. Donatello likewise cast two capitals, in bronze, as supports for the above-described work* one of which is still there, but the other was carried away by the Spaniards, when they gave that region over to pillage.

Now it chanced that at this time the Signoria of Venice, having heard of his fame, sent for Donato, to the end that he might erect the monument of Gattamelata, in the city of Padua, whither he repaired very willingly, and where he erected the bronze horse, still on the Piazza di Sant’ Antonio, in which the chafing and neighing of the horse are made clearly obvious, while the pride and spirit of the rider are also expressed with infinite force and truth by the art of the master. Notwithstanding the great size of this casting, Donatello preserved an admirable justice in all the proportions; and the excellence of the work is such that it may be compared with those of any ancient master for design, animation, art, harmony, and care in execution; insomuch that it