Sculpture David by Michelangelo Buonarroti: the Titan of the Renaissance.

The statue of David was created at the beginning of the 16th century during three years, but the significance of the titanic sculpture, its innovation and skill went down in the history of the visual arts as unsurpassed. The sculpture David was created in the period from 1501 to 1504 and has survived to this day, is kept in Florence.

The titanic sculpture, five meters high and weighing more than six tons, was sculpted from Carrara marble by the famous sculptor Michelangelo Buonarroti. Years of his life from 1475 to 1564. The work became not only a decoration of the city, but a symbol of the High Renaissance.

David of the New Time

David, Michelangelo’s sculpture, is the standard of male beauty in world art. Sculptors have repeatedly turned to the heroism of the biblical king over the centuries. Let us recall the mannered sculpture performed by Donatello, the first nude, free-standing sculpture, as well as the effeminate David by  Verrocchio. Both of these statues are inert, static, as if the head of Goliath itself fell at the feet of the victors.

The plasticity of the High Renaissance makes a noticeable leap in the depiction of familiar heroes. The sculpture David is a strong naked young man, captured in preparation for a fight with the enemy. His whole figure is extremely tense: a proudly raised head, knitted eyebrows and pursed lips testify to determination and strong will. At the same time, the young man stands relaxed, which emphasizes confidence in his strength. The weapon of struggle – a sling, easily thrown over the shoulder, also lies at ease, as if it testifies to an imminent victory.

David is a sculpture of the New Time and is distinguished by artistic innovation:

• for the first time a human statue reaches the gigantic size of a statue;
• the image of the hero at the time of preparation for the battle, and not after the battle;
• volitional tension is captured through the tension of the muscles of the body, for example, David’s hand squeezes a sling;
• clear and simple composition: expressiveness, clarity without contradictory elements in the solution of the movement;
• special attention is paid to the transfer of the internal state in tense facial expressions: anger is imprinted on the face, the gaze is fixed on the enemy.

The main message of Michelangelo’s sculpture David is the personification of the boundless strength and capabilities of a free man. For the first time in the art of the High Renaissance, the image of the winner of Goliath outgrows a narrow plot and acquires a universal significance – a person with a titanic character is depicted. The pathos of heroic action is depicted as a triumph of human power – the ability to overcome any obstacles.

The history of the creation of the ideal of beauty

Florence is a special city that did not obey the papal authority, Florence recognized the superiority of human talent. During the period of work on the sculpture, the life of the republic changed dramatically, as did the fate of Michelangelo. The sculpture David was originally commissioned by the church. The tyranny of the Medici was defeated, and the sculpture David by Michelangelo became a symbol of a free republic, became the embodiment of the defender of the fatherland.

Michelangelo was only 26 years old when the master began sculpting a sculpture from solid granite. For more than two years, the sculptor worked tirelessly, all to ensure that Florence erected the statue. It took only about four months to finish and polish the marble. Despite the fact that by these years he managed to become a great sculptor, Buonarroti did the most difficult work.

Giorgio Vasari, a well-known critic and contemporary of the master, reports a curious fact about the creation of a sculpture by Michelangelo David. It turns out that the master had to take up the processing of already damaged marble stone. The future sculpture had to be skillfully fitted into the shape so as to avoid the mistakes of its predecessor.

Michelangelo’s David was created directly by the sculptor without helpers. A giant block, a hammer and scaffolding – that’s all that the sculptor needed to create a masterpiece. No one knew who the master was creating, the place of sculpture was fenced off with a high fence. In the winter of 1504, Michelangelo’s sculpture David was presented for evaluation to the main Florentine masters. The commission was headed by Leonardo da Vinci himself. And what? Only delight and approval! Respected masters gave the highest mark – the decision to install the sculpture on the central square of the city. In 1504 all of Florence came together to unveil the monument and the event turned into a real national celebration. And the architect Giuliano da Sangallo called the statue a public monument. According to Vasari’s notes, the Florentines perceived David as a symbol of courage and justice in protecting and managing the city.

Michelangelo’s Antique sculpture David decorated the entrance of the City Council for three centuries. And in 1873, wanting to protect the statue from rain and wind, the Florentines placed David in the building of the Academy of Arts.