Florence and the David Statues - 826 Words

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. The Medici family was the most powerful political family of Florence. They saw themselves as being the reason for Florence’s supremacy and wanted to used Florence’s symbol of David as their own. The Medici were aware of Donatello’s earlier sculpture of David in Florence’s town hall and commissioned Donatello to create them their own sculpture of David. Donatello’s bronze sculpture of David possesses both the relaxed contrapposto and the nude beauty of the Classical period and the style of the Greeks. He was the first Renaissance sculptor to portray nude male figure. â€Å"In the Middle Ages, the clergy regarded nude statues as both indecent and idolatrous, and nudity in general appeared only rarely in art†Show MoreRelatedStatues of David in Renaissance Art926 Words   |  4 PagesDavid, the heroic underdog in the story that is â€Å"David and Goliath.† David has become some kind of patron saint of Florence for his near impossible slaying of the giant Goliath. With the help of god, David became victorious, just like with the help of God, Florence has been the center of Renaissance Art and still stood strong despite their â€Å"Goliath,à ¢â‚¬  the city of Milan. Its no surprise that Florence is filled with several statues of David. Florence embodied is â€Å"David,† and elite of Florence, includingRead MoreEssay about Michelangelos Statue of David1114 Words   |  5 Pages 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. WithRead MoreDonatello The Famous Italian Painter1425 Words   |  6 Pagesthat he often transformed. Donatello lived a long successful life as an artist and this can be seen through his work and commissions in Florence, developments in Padua and lastl y his later years in Florence and popular pieces of work. (3) Early History of Donatello: As the son of Niccolo di Betto Bardi, a Florentine wool carder, Donatello was born in Florence, Italy. At a young age, he was given the nickname â€Å"Donatello† by his family and friends, which continued to stay with him for the rest ofRead MoreDonatello Art840 Words   |  4 Pagesis unknown Family connections : He was the son of Nicolo di Betto Bardi, a wool merchant in Florence Career: Donatello was apprentice to Ghiberti in Florence One of his patrons was Cosimo de Medici. Date of Death: Donatello died on December 13, 1466 Accomplishments or why Donatello was famous: Italian sculptor of the early Renaissance period. The most famous works of art by Donatello include David, Mary Magdalene, Madonna, Salome, Zuccone, St. Mark, St. John the Evangelist and St. George andRead MoreThe Works Of David The King David1706 Words   |  7 PagesThroughout the history there has been major events that occurred which left an impact for generations. A major history that was recorded in the bible was â€Å"King David†; base on our understanding of history David was once just a normal shepherd until King Saul the former ruler of Israel appointed him as the new air to the throne. In the present year David is known as the slayer of Goliath killing him with stones he put in his sling and cutting of his head. This event was printed as a biblical history becauseRead MoreThe World Of The Alps1579 Words   |  7 Pagessee that Florence comes into play. Florence is noted as the powerhouse of the Renaissance, since it produced outstanding pieces of Art and Literature. Jumping ahead to present day, Florence is home to the enormous cathedral, commonly referred to as The Duomo. Florence also has The David, which is in the Galleria dell’Academia. Florence has The Arno, a large river, flowing through it as well as three minor rivers. The absolute location of Florence is 43.7833 °N, 11.2500 °E. Florence is in aRead More A Comparison of Michelangelos and Donatellos Sculptures of David1281 Words   |  6 PagesSculptures of David Michelangelo and Donatello were the most respected and inspiring artists of their time. Michelangelo of the High Renaissance and Donatello of the Early Renaissance both hailed from Italy. Both tell the biblical story of David versus Goliath, as told in I Samuel 17:28-51, in their sculptures David. David was a Shepherd boy who killed the giant Goliath with nothing but a slingshot in his hands. Michelangelo displays David before the battle while Donatello shows David after theRead MoreDavid, Michelangelo and Donatello.1001 Words   |  5 PagesDuring the renaissance Michelangelo had created many magnificent pieces of art, one of which is the most well-known pieces among the world; the sculpture of David. The Michelangelo sculpture of David wasn’t the only one created during its time, for Donatello had created one some years before hand. Among the two sculptures, Michelangelo’s has a more profound, fascinating, and exceptional quality to it that contributed greatly to the Renaissance. The High Renaissance was a period denotingRead MoreThe Radical Change During The Renaissance Of A Young Boy With Unconvincing Looks As A Hero1566 Words   |  7 PagesHow 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 backRead MoreEssay Comparing the Three Statues of David 955 Words   |  4 PagesComparing the Three Statues of David The pieces of art I will be comparing and contrasting are the three statues of David, by Donatello (Donato di Niccolà ² 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