¶ … statues of David
I choose the two contrasting statues of David, the one created by Michaelangelo, the other created by Bernini. They seem to me to represent two juxtaposing poses and two variants of the same mythical figure, David.
Both statues are nude only that of Bernini's is covered with a loincloth. The most dramatical difference is that Michaelangelo's David stands in a contemplative pose looking to the right with hand slung over his shoulder as though seizing up and contemplating his circumstances and opponent, whilst Bernini's David is in active position intent on, and in the very act of, slinging his foe.
Michaelangelo's David
Michaelangelo's David is a 5.17 m marble slab of statue created between 1501 and 1504. His statue was placed in a public square, outside the Palazzo della Signoria, which was the seat of civic government moved to the Accademia Gallery in Florence in 1873 and replaced in the original location with a replica.
Michelangelo's statue turns with a warning glare towards Rome as inference that she, amongst other neighboring countries, dare not threaten the vulnerably and position of Florence.
Michaelangelo's David differs from previous statues of David in various ways, not least that David does not stand with Goliath's head at his feet as it does in previous statues such as those of Donatello and Verrocchio or by Andrea del Castagno where Goliath's head rests between his feet (Hibbard, 1974; Hughes, 1997 ). Rather, Michaelangelo's David has a concerned and furrowed look about his eyes as though he is considering the immensity of the act that he is about to do and worried about its implications. Whilst his muscles are taut and ready for combat, his body is in a relaxed pose and he confidently carries his sling over his left shoulder. In his right hand, that rests on his thigh, he carries the stone that is ready for the throw. The bulk of David's weight rests on his right leg and he stands in the 'contrapposto' pose, that is quixotic of most statues of Greek heroes, such as Doryphoros by Polykleitos
The David too has an unusually large head and hands possibly due to the fact that the statue was originally intended to be placed in the Cathedral rooftop. He is also...
Question 2: Which of the Davids could Americans adopt as symbolic of the time in which we are currently living -- and why? Bernini's "David" is a man of action, not a static ideal. Bernini demonstrates why the Biblical figure of David is a hero and a future king of consequence. Michelangelo's beautiful "David" clutches the sling half-heartedly, and seems to justify his reputation through his youth and physical gifts, not
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Renaissance Art Within the broad gamut of Renaissance art throughout Europe, two sculptures remain outstanding and worthy of mutual comparison. Those two works of art are Michelangelo's statue of David and Donatello's same. The latter is the predecessor; Donatello's David predates Michelangelo's by about fifty years. Donatello's sculpture of David is considered to be of the Early Renaissance period, and was completed by about 1430 (Hudelson, n.d.). Michelangelo's David, on the
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