Michelangelo's David: Creation, Symbolism & Comparisons

Michelangelo's David: A Renaissance Masterpiece

Michelangelo's David is an iconic Italian Renaissance sculpture, specifically of the *Cinquecento* period. Created by Michelangelo Buonarroti between 1501 and 1504, the statue is a masterpiece of marble sculpting.

Creation and Location

The original David is located in the Accademia Gallery in Florence, Italy. A replica stands in the Piazza della Signoria, the original location of the sculpture. The statue, carved from a single, narrow block of marble that had been abandoned for years, stands at approximately four meters tall. It was commissioned by the canons of the Florence Cathedral.

Symbolism and Interpretation

Unlike earlier representations by Donatello and Verrocchio, where David is depicted *after* defeating Goliath, Michelangelo's David portrays him *before* the battle. Goliath is not present, suggesting the moment of decision and anticipation. David's body is that of a muscular man, not the slender youth seen in earlier works. He appears tense and ready for combat, with a slight *contrapposto*:

• The left leg is forward.
• The left arm is raised, the hand almost touching the shoulder.
• The right arm hangs down, the hand touching the thigh.
• The torso is subtly bent.
• The head is turned to his left, eyes fixed on his target, with a frown.

The facial expression shows tension, with a grimace of determination and flared nostrils. Some interpret the look as the moment David decides to attack, while others believe it depicts the moment immediately after the battle, with David quietly contemplating his victory.

Artistic Technique

Michelangelo designed David to be admired from any angle, a departure from the medieval approach where sculptures were primarily viewed from the front. The proportions of David are not strictly classical; the head, hands, and torso are slightly larger. Some critics attribute this to Mannerism.

Comparisons with Other *David* Sculptures

Several artists have depicted David:

• Donatello: Created an earlier marble David (circa 1408-1409) for the Florence Cathedral. This sculpture, while showing *contrapposto*, still retains some Gothic influence. Donatello also created a bronze David.
• Verrocchio: His bronze David (1467-1470) is more brazen and bold, depicting a clothed, victorious David. It is housed in the Bargello Museum in Florence.
• Bernini: His Baroque marble David (1623-1624) captures the fleeting moment of David launching his stone. It is located in the Galleria Borghese in Rome.
• Antonin Mercié: Created a bronze statue in 1871, showing David with Goliath's head at his feet, similar to Donatello's, but with David sheathing his sword. The original is in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.

Most representations, other than Michelangelo's, incorporate a cloth covering the genitals.