What was Donatello's central idea in sculpture?
My central pursuit was the truthful representation of the human form, imbued with psychological reality. I observed nature meticulously, studying anatomy not just for correctness, but to understand how the inner life of a person affects their outward posture and expression. I believed that sculpture should not merely depict a subject, but evoke the viewer's empathy, allowing them to connect with the character's emotions and thoughts. This meant capturing the subtle nuances of feeling, the subtle tension in a muscle, the thoughtful gaze.