Donatello's Cantoria ('Singing Tribune')

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Around 1433, the cathedral (Duomo) of Florence undertook a number of projects to beautify the interior. The sculptor Donatello was commissioned to create a cantoria, or singing tribune (an elevated space for the choir).

Donatello’s enormous marble peice served as a balance to a similar structure created by Luca della Robbia that decorated the area near the organ.

The cantoria was completed from 1433-1439, and is unique in Donatello’s portfolio. The rigid ‘medieval’ columns contrast with the flowing forms of the dancing putti behind, which also serves to create a convincing three-dimensional “space” in the limited depth of the marble.

The current display of the piece in the Museo dell’Opera del Duomoevokes its original elevated placement (and also makes it very difficult to photograph!): attached to a wall about ~15 feet (4.5m) up in the air.