Sculpting Vs Michelangelo

The statue of David, completed by Michelangelo in 1504, is an easily recognizable symbol to people not only in Florence, but from all around the world. The David has a special meaning for Florentines, and is a symbol of what the city strives to be; strong, courageous, and youthful. The sculpture tells the tale of the battle between David and Goliath. David, a young boy at the time, was angered at the way Goliath was treating the Israelis and stood up to the giant feat of taking on Goliath. With a simple slingshot and stone, he defeated the angry giant, and became a symbol of liberty. The story shows that anything can be done with the help of God. David is not only the most well-known sculpture in the world, but is housed in one of the

Significant advancements in art have been made over the last few centuries. These advancements have allowed different artists and sculptors to take their artworks to the next level. A recurring theme in Renaissance art is the sculpture David. Over the year’s artists have been able to take this famous sculpture to new heights. Although the sculptures have the same concept, they are quite different, but they do have some similar consistencies. Donatello, Verrocchio, and Michelangelo are three sculptors who were able to depict their versions of David in new lights.

The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci around 1503-6, is oil on panel. It is a three quarter portrait of a young, Florentine woman. She is sitting in a chair with her torso twisting around to face the viewer. Her hands are resting on the arm of the chair. Behind the woman in the background is a landscape very characteristic of many Leonardo paintings. The Mona Lisa was painted toward the end of Leonardo’s career. In contrast, the David created by Michelangelo around 1501-4, is a marble sculpture of the biblical hero David. The seventeen foot tall statue depicts a young man standing in contrapposto. Most of his weight is supported with is right leg, while his left leg is relaxed. He holds

The city of Florence has gone through many invaders, illnesses and many other deaths not related to the battlefield. They had survived it all they believed that they had God on their side and have always come out on top, much like the biblical story of David in battle against Goliath. This influenced Florence to take on David as their symbol and used it to portray the success of Florence. Many artists have created sculptures portraying works of David. It has been depicting it in so many different manners, that there is at least one surviving example from each major art periods. Although there are many we will only be focusing on two works of David. First is Donatello’s classically inspired youthful boy depiction of David, and the second is Bernini’s heroic warrior.

When thinking of sculptures, one of the first that comes to mind is David. This statue was created of marble between 1501 and 1504 and stands over 14 feet high. David is a symbol that represents strength and anger. The statue had intended political connotations for the ruling of the Medici family. Michelangelo used David as model of "heroic courage" to demonstrate that "spiritual strength can be more effective than arms". Michelangelo insisted that David should stand as a symbol of the republic and act as a warning that Florence shall be governed justly and bravely". This was the first time since antiquity that a large nude statue be exhibited in a public place.

The pieces of art I will be comparing and contrasting are the three statues of David, by Donatello (Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi), Michelangelo (Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni), and Bernini (Gian Lorenzo Bernini). The statues are modeled after the biblical David, who was destined to become the second king of Israel. Also most famously known as the slayer of the Philistine giant Goliath with a stone and a sling. The sculptures are all based on the same biblical hero, but differ from one another. Each David is unique in its own certain way.

How could a statue of a young boy with unconvincing looks as a hero be a notorious work of art? With one glance at the statue, would you believe that this young man could have slain a giant? The story of David and Goliath was very prevalent at the time, and during this period in history, it was commissioned by Cosimo de’ Medici to represent the city of Florence. Florence wanted to show this representation of David through his strength, courage, and youthful confidence in its city. So, dating back to the 1440s, David was a prominent aspect of Renaissance art. The radical change during the Renaissance led artists to alter the original composition of David. Some could agree that this change may have given spectators a different outlook on the meaning and subliminal messages that this statue possess. Different artists, such as Donatello, Michelangelo, and others, all portrayed David in different perspectives. The many different compositions of David would lead one to think, what is the importance behind this sculpture?

Another thing that both sculptures have in common is the name of the sculpture, both received the name David. Both Michelangelo and Gianlorenzo got the image from the Old testament in the First Book of Samuel. The same person, just a different view of how this person really was. Not knowing anything about either of theses sculpture makes everyone forget what the real reason these sculptures are made. Soon after being fully made David, became a symbol of “defense of civil liberties embodied in the Republic of Florence”. Another thing that is instantly noticeable is that both of them are made of marble.

The Italian Renaissance was an explosion of the arts in Italy, not only in painting and architecture, but in sculpture as well. Over the span of about eighty years, sculpture became transcendent during this time. Sculpture style has evolved over the course of many years from something that was not just considered philosophical or just simply aesthetic, but to something that involves and combines both. One artist that started this shift was Michelangelo. Michelangelo created breathtaking statues, and because of his innovative thinking and style, he paved the way for other extraordinary and visionary artists like Bandinelli and

What makes a sculpture special? Why was the subject of the piece so important? What’s similar about certain artworks, and what sets them apart? Through the ages, art has allowed us to commemorate key figures and events. Not only that, it has enabled artists to express their thoughts and exhibit their expertise with the innovative new techniques of their time. Two depictions of the biblical figure David are perfect examples of this. Though from separate stages in history, David by Michelangelo and David Slaying Goliath by Gian Lorenzo Bernini broach the same famous feat in similar ways, but still stand alone as singular pieces.

Michelangelo Buonarroti was an Italian painter, sculptor, poet, architect, and engineer of the High Renaissance, who influenced the development of Western art. He is widely considered as the greatest artist during his time. Michelangelo is also regarded as the Renaissance man, along with Leonardo di Vinci. His talent was recognized therefore he received commissions from some of the wealthiest and powerful man in his day. “David”, the “Pieta”, Sistine Chapel ceiling and the architect of St. Peter’s Basilica are ranked among the most famous in existence. In order to show the appreciation to Michelangelo’s hard works, his artworks are carefully preserved to ensure future generations will be able to view his brilliance. Michelangelo has great accomplishments,

A winter known as Giorgio Vasari, stated that Michelangelo’s e works excelled “all ancient and modern statues, whether Greek or Latin, that have ever existed.” Michelangelo’s work, David, was very atypical in that the statue was unusually large and slender. By the 20th century, Michelangelo’s David had become iconic shorthand for culture with endless reproductions.

For instance, nearly every sculpture during the 1300s was made of purely marble, yet he decided to take a risk and create David, a bronze sculpture which was most likely commissioned to the Medici family (Lavin). Not only was it one of the first bronze sculptures, but it was also considered the first major sculpture of the Renaissance, first free-standing statue, and the first statue to be completely nude since the ancient Greek period (Ramirez). This sculpture, along with several others of his, set new standards and examples for other sculptors throughout Italy and the

One such piece of art from the Baroque time period was the sculpture of David. This sculpture was actually created by two different artists. Gianlorezo Bernini and Michelangelo’s versions of the sculpture of David are very different in comparison. In Chapter 10, Sayre suggests, “Bernini’s sculpture of David commissioned by a nephew of Pope Paul V, appears to be an intentional contrast to Michelangelo’s sculpture of the same subject” (Sayre 310). There are many contrasts to the two sculptures portraying the same event.

That year, he completed the life-sized marble sculpture, David. The figure follows a Gothic style, popular at the time, with long graceful lines and an expressionless face. The work reflects the influences of sculptors of the time. Technically, it's very well executed, but it lacks the emotional style and innovative technique that would mark Donatello’s later work. Originally, the sculpture was intended for placement in the cathedral. Instead, however, it was set up in the Palazzo Vecchio (the town hall) as an inspiring symbol of defiance of authority to Florentines, who were engaged in a struggle with the king of Naples at the