Donatello Gabbrielli was born in 1884 in Scandicci (Florence) from a working class family: his father Enrico was a joiner and his mother, Argentina Marinelli, was a cook with a local family. His parents singled him out at an early stage for his drawing capabilities and therefore encouraged him to go to an evening art class: however family problems didn't allow him to attend the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence. Notwithstanding this he began to work in Professor Cesare Fantacchiotti's Studio: this was a very severe school, where Fantacchiotti didn't waste time training students who didn't have a real talent for art. Gabbrielli became the only and loving trustee of Fantacchiotti's teachings: during his youth he limited himse...