Early Modern Europe (Two Davids)

Classical antiquity is the combination of greek and Roman civilization characteristics between eighth century B.C and Sixth Century B.C.E. These characteristics include harmony, balance, and a sense of proportion. A fine example of classical antiquity is Michelangelo’s Sculpture of David. The sculpture was originally created to sit high upon the cathedral in Florence, Italy. After it was created it was decided that the sculptor was too beautiful to be placed so high and found a new home inside the cathedral. Michelangelo was only twenty-six years old when commissioned for this sculpture. The sculptor of David features the ideal male body well proportioned. Michelangelo’s sculpture of David also features a common pose where the weight of the body is placed on one hip and leg; this pose is called contrapposto In this specific case Daivd’s weight resets on his right leg while his chest and hips face forward and he gazes in the opposite direction. The pose David is holding explains he is in the moment right after he strips his armour and begins preparing to face Goliath. His Gaze and facial expression explain the tension before the fight. In Rome, Gian Lorenzo Bernini created a sculpture of David as well for Cardinal Borghese and it currently lives in the Borghese Gallery. Bernini’s sculpture is less god-like and more naturalistic; it is engaging and has a narrative while Michelangelo’s David we are separate from as viewers. Bernini’s sculpture features flowing fabric and foliage. David's pose is full of movement and action as he is winding up to release the stone that hits Goliath in the head. The combination of the twisting torso, the fabric across David’s legs and the pulled back sling shot are dramatic and suspenseful. Bernini’s piece features characteristics of Baroque art, it explains a narrative, or David’s moment of action as well as involves the viewers or creates empathetic emotions towards the subject. Both Bernini and Michelangelo created their pieces out of marble and originally for religious purposes; they gathered artistic value as well as political value over time. Michelangelo’s David especially gathered political value as the Florence republic was constantly battling power hungry tyrants such as the Medici family and Savonarola, a Dominican monk. In Rome, artists and the church were working together to create images and works that appealed to the faith directly.

Sources:

Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, "Michelangelo, David," in Smarthistory, December 6, 2020, accessed February 5, 2021, https://smarthistory.org/michelangelo-david/.

Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, "Gian Lorenzo Bernini, David," in Smarthistory, July 12, 2015, accessed February 5, 2021, https://smarthistory.org/bernini-david-2/.