Prior to San Pietro and the well-known San Giorgio, Donatello’s first carving for Orsanmichele was the figure of San Marco Evangelista, patron saint of the Linaioli. Sent to Niccolò di Piero Lamberti in 1409, he was eventually sent to Donatello in 1411. Most likely, the figure was positioned in the niche at the end of 14131.
According to Giorgio Vasari, the statue did not like the customers at first, but once it was placed in the niche, it was well-liked. Not having seen a figure with such a noble and believable look, Michelangelo admired the piece.
“That if such was the appearance of the Saint Vivo, it could be believed everything he had written, he shows so much the Galantuomo face”.
