Michelangelo’s the David: A masterpiece in art
- Lexi Carson
- Jul 31, 2023
- 4 min read
The “David” statue is commonly coined as a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance sculpture. The sculpture is on display in the Accademia Gallery in Florence, Italy. David was created to represent the ideal perfect man, who is young, attractive and healthy. However, since its creation, it also embodies the city of Florence, symbolizing independence and strength. The significance of this artwork has influenced the world as over a million people travel every year to visit the statue.
The Making and Meaning
At just 26-years-old, Michelangelo Buonarroti began creating what is known today as the David. The sculpting process took three years, from 1501 to 1504. The David is made out of solid marble from the quarries in Carrara in Tuscany, one of the whitest in the world. He is also massive, with his height being nearly 17 feet tall.
The anecdote behind David is a religious tale. It relates to the biblical story of David and Goliath. In the story, the Philistine and Israelite armies agreed to a trial by single combat to conclude their long-standing war. The Philistines were ready to battle with their warriors in place, while the Israelites were not. The Philistines’ warrior Goliath made fun of the Israelites and their king Saul because he was too scared to face Goliath. David bravely stepped up for the Israelites and became their warrior. His choice of weapon was a slingshot and he used it to defeat Goliath.
The slingshot can be seen today on top of David’s shoulder on that statue. He also holds a rock in his other hand showing he is really for battle. During the Renaissance, this story gave David the reputation of symbolizing youth, energy and victory.
However, despite being labeled the perfect man, David has imperfections. His right hand is larger than his left, with an extended abductor digiti minimi. This is suggested to draw attention to the stone as a sign of David’s courage and physical power. Upon looking at the statue, there are more famous flaws than this. But, it is worth noting that David’s hands, feet and veins appear too big to match his body’s proportions, giving him a look that is unattainable to a regular man. More recognizable are the details in David’s eyes. They seem to look like small hearts carved into his pupils. But, they also are looking in two different directions, with his right eye looking out and his left eye looking to the left.
The David IRL
Because David is such a highly recognized piece of art worldwide, Accademia will always be full. Lines can stretch to the end of the street filled with people eager to take a peek inside. It is best to book a reservation well in advance. Not only that but to get the full experience booking a tour guide is a good addition to your viewing.
Upon first entering the Accademia, chills will overtake your body, and your neck will lift in awe at how massive the statue is. Seeing David in person is unlike any other sculpture, and pictures don’t do it justice.
Tourists and locals gather around and take photos to capture this moment.
Grace Barnhill recently graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in art. She was on vacation with her family in Italy when they decided to come to the Accademia. Barnhill and her family’s viewing of David included a tour guide explaining details about the statue.
“When I first entered the museum and looked at the David, I was shocked at how huge it was,” She said. “I knew the statue was going to be detailed. But I was surprised at how many tiny, tiny details there are on the statue. I mean, even if you look at the small wrinkle on his eyebrow, he looks confused or distressed. You can see so many emotions through small details.”
Barnhill said she would be curious to see what the top of his head looks like. “Since nobody’s ever going to see the top of his head, I wonder how detailed it is up there and if there's the same amount of hair like there is carved down,” she said.
Barnhill said he was aware of some of the imperfections in the art, such as David’s hands, but she wasn’t familiar with many other aspects of the statue. “I didn’t know he was supposed to be on top of the Duomo. I thought he didn’t fit in wherever he was supposed to be before, but hearing that he originated there and then was moved to the Accademia is interesting, “ she said.
Through Barnhill’s art history classes in college, she was briefly aware of Michelangelo's paintings but not his sculptures. She said seeing his work in person gave her a stronger appreciation for the artist’s work.
The heART of Florence
A copy of David is in the middle of the Piazzale Michelangelo, also at the Piazza della Signoria, where it was originally placed before it moved to the Accademia in 1910. However, nothing beats seeing the real thing.
Mario Gesù, a native Florentine, has been a tourist guide since 2011. He believes Michelangelo’s work is the heart of Florence. “Michelangelo changed the perception of a man into a man through his visuals,” he said. “David is the man at the center, he is the king of everything but doesn’t accept any limits and that is the problem with men today. They think they are larger than life.”
“Thirty years later, this perception changed. The man is part of something that is bigger than us,” Gesù said.
Gesù believes this is why Michelangelo doesn’t finish his work. He doesn’t want the final say, and it should be left to God.
However, what is special about David is that anyone can look at it and feel something different. Art is up to interpretation. The love and admiration for art and Italian culture can be felt all throughout the museum. A visit to the Accademia to see Michelangelo’s David is well worth the trip to Florence.
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