St. Mark, Donatello

This statue is one of three saint statues commissioned by Donatello by the linen weavers' guild for display in the Orsanmichele Church. Donatello crafted this statue with exaggerated proportions because of its intended elevation above street level. It's head is slightly bigger than would be naturally so as is his torso. He stands in a "natural position" of contrapossto. It is said that the guild was not pleased with the look of the statue when viewed at eye level, because of the inaccurate proportions. However, Donatello promised revisions and simply set it in its intended niche and then revealed it a few days later without actually doing anything to it. They loved the "new and improved" version and readily accepted this "new" version.