Donatello's David: Style, Symbolism, and Renaissance Bronze Mastery

Donatello's David: Style and Classical Influence

Body Posture and Classical Echoes

The posture of Donatello's David, resting on the right leg, clearly shows the influence of Praxiteles' style, known in the art world as the "Praxitelean curve" or contrapposto. This technique breaks the strict frontal presentation, providing a more harmonious body movement.

The representation features one leg slightly bent, an innovation often attributed to the sculptor Polykleitos. The composition is framed by an ellipse tracing a path from the head to the right arm, down to the legs, then up to the other arm, returning to the head.

Proportions and Finish

• The work stands at a height of 158 cm.
• It exhibits perfect body proportions and maintains a vertical axis of perfect balance.
• The muscle modeling is very soft, blurred, with almost feminine features.
• The bronze finish simulates soft, smooth skin, making it a fine example of bronze sculpture.

The Renaissance masters took basic elements previously described by Vitruvius.

Historical Interpretation and Symbolism

According to Vasari: "The figure is so natural and so beautiful that artists find it hard to believe that it has been molded on a living model."

The model is related to Cosimo de Medici, commemorating Florence's victory over rival Milan.

David, Florence, and Goliath

In this sculpture:

1. David personifies the typical hat worn in Florence (Tuscany).
2. Goliath is symbolized by Milan, whose symbol includes the sword turned into a cross.

An inscription also refers to this theme.

Scholarly Debate: David or Hermes?

Historians debate the true representation: Is it David and Goliath or Hermes Beating Argos?

Alessandro Parronchi leans toward the second option due to the symbolic theme expressed by the laureate hat and the adolescent pagan sensuality.

Supporting Arguments for Hermes

• The hat could represent Tuscany, but it also resembles the petasos, the wide-brimmed hat typical of Hermes.
• Hermes is also depicted as a psychopomp (guide of souls), an attribute suggested by the helmet of Goliath, as one of Hermes' roles was guiding souls to the afterlife.

Conclusion on Beauty

The sculpture is a celebration of an ambiguous adolescent beauty that conquered Goliath more through courage than sheer strength.