Friends of Florence advance restoration of Donatello’s Gattamelata

The restoration of Donatello’s Gattamelata, one of the most celebrated bronze monuments of the Renaissance, has entered a new phase in the city of Padua. After the first announcement of the project earlier this month and the spectacular removal of the bronze horse from its pedestal in front of the Basilica of Saint Anthony, both the rider and his horse are now safely housed inside the former “Boito” Civic Museum, where diagnostic analyses are underway.

Over two historic days, October 8 and 9, the equestrian group was carefully dismantled and transferred under the direction of restorer Nicola Salvioli, assisted by structural engineers Filippo Casarin and Marco Mocellini of R-Struct Engineering, and the specialized team from Arterìa in Florence. The operation was supervised by Italy’s Superintendency for the provinces of Padua, Treviso and Belluno and the Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony.

The move marks the beginning of a six-month campaign of scientific studies and conservation planning. “Now that the rider and horse are reunited in the Boito Museum,” explained Ugo Soragni, the project’s scientific director, “the next step will be to interpret the diagnostic data and define the detailed restoration plan to be approved by the Superintendency.”

This new phase follows the project’s launch announced by Friends of Florence and Save Venice, two U.S. nonprofit organizations supporting the restoration. Their collaboration ensures that both the diagnostic investigations and the future conservation work will be carried out to the highest international standards.

“It is an honor to help preserve this extraordinary masterpiece by Donatello,” said Frederick Ilchman, chairman of Save Venice, who praised the precision and care of the teams involved. Simonetta Brandolini d’Adda, president of Friends of Florence, added that this moment “marks the true beginning of the restoration” and thanked donor Stacy Simon for making the Friends of Florence contribution possible.

Cast between 1447 and 1453 to honor the condottiere Erasmo da Narni, known as Gattamelata, Donatello’s monument has been removed from its base only twice before, during World War I and World War II, to safeguard it from damage. This is the first time in over 80 years that both bronze figures have been moved, allowing experts to examine them closely and prepare for the full restoration phase expected to begin in 2026.

Florence Daily News previously covered the launch of the project and shared exclusive photos of the horse’s removal.

(Photo: Marco Borrelli)

❤️ Support Florence Daily News

If you liked this article, please consider supporting Florence Daily News.

We are an independent news site, free from paywalls and intrusive ads, committed to providing clear and reliable reporting on Florence and Tuscany for everyone.

Your support — whether a one-time gift or a regular contribution — helps us stay independent and keep telling the stories that matter.

Donate securely via Stripe below.