Saint Louis of Toulouse (Donatello)
| Saint Louis of Toulouse | |
|---|---|
| Artist | Donatello |
| Year | 1423–1425 |
| Medium | Gilded bronze |
| Dimensions | 2.66 m × 0.85 m (105 in × 33 in) |
| Location | Museo di Santa Croce, Florence |
Saint Louis of Toulouse is a gilded bronze sculpture of Louis of Toulouse by Donatello with a marble niche all'antica on the facade of Orsanmichele, executed in 1423–1425. It is now in the refectory of the Museo di Santa Croce in Florence.
The statue was commissioned by the Parte Guelfa for their external niche at the centre of the east facade of Orsanmichele facing via de' Calzaiuoli. Their patron saint (canonized in 1317) had given up his crown for the religious life, an idea that favorably symbolized the Guelphs' believe in the Papacy. They backed the papal party against the Holy Roman Emperor in the Investiture Controversy and later conflicts.