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Michelangelo David Essay

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Michelangelo’s “David” is a sculpture carved from a single block of white marble between the years of 1501 to 1504 in Florence Italy. Measuring 16 feet 11.5 inches, and weighing 12,478 pounds, the giant statue was to be placed in the Cathedral of Florence roughly 260 feet above the ground. Once the completed work was unveiled however, the City Council of Florence, with advice from artists such as Da Vinci, Botticelli, and others decided the statue would stand in the Piazza della Signoria in the center of Florence. In 1873, “David” was moved into the Galleria dell’Accademia to protect it from the elements and other potential damage. Completed when Michelangelo was only thirty years old, the sculpture was praised by artists and the public …show more content…

Appearing to stare out in contemplation before battle, David’s brow is furrowed and his neck is tense as he prepares to go into battle. The figure of David is standing against a small tree stump with his weight fully on his right leg, with his left leg slightly forward. This pose, accentuates David’s physical perfection, in much the same way the ancient Romans and Greeks portrayed their gods and heroes. The parts of the statue that are not David’s body, the sling over his shoulder, as well as the tree trunk behind his leg, were once gilded but their gold coating eroded over the centuries due to exposure to the elements. The curls of statue’s hair, the intricate musculature of his body and legs, and even the veins in the back of his hands, show the incredible attention to detail that Michelangelo paid to the statue during the three years it took to create. I chose Michelangelo’s statue of “David” because it is one of the most famous and beautiful sculptures ever produced by the hand of man. The proportion, realism, and attention to detail of “David” make it impossible to believe that such a masterpiece could have been carved from a single block …show more content…

Statues of David were not unique by any stretch of the imagination; however, Michelangelo’s interpretation was an exceptional interpretation, unique among the others. A number of Florentine artists, such as Donatello, Verrocchio, and Ghiberti had previously created sculptures of David during his battle with Goliath and afterward. David was frequently portrayed in battle, as well as victorious afterward, either holding a sword or with Goliath’s head lying at his feet. Michelangelo’s portrayal of a contemplative and tense David just prior to his battle was exceptional. Viewed by millions during the Renaissance and for centuries afterward, “David” is an incredibly successful work of art for the ages. Michelangelo’s “David” is arguably the most recognized and famous sculpture ever

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