Donatello created the marble Saint George for Florence’s Orsanmichele.
The sculpture was commissioned by the guild of armorers and swordmakers and was made around 1415–1417. Saint George stands alert in armor, presenting the confident, individualized figure that helped distinguish early Renaissance sculpture from the more formal medieval tradition.
A relief beneath the statue depicts Saint George rescuing the princess. It is especially important for its use of shallow carving, known as rilievo stiacciato, to suggest space with remarkably subtle changes in depth.
The original statue is now in Florence’s Bargello Museum, while a copy occupies its former exterior niche at Orsanmichele. Donatello’s sculpture should not be confused with his later bronze David, another major work associated with Florence.