(Left to Right)
Artist: Michelangelo
Date: 1501-1504
Medium: Marble
Location: Accademia Gallery, Florence
Artist: Bernini
Date: 1623
Medium: Marble
Location: Borghese Gallery, Rome
The story of David and Goliath has been repeatedly shown throughout art and literature for many years. The story is a heroic one and a favorite of many. Michelangelo’s David is one of the most well known works of art and is housed at the Accademia Gallery in Florence, Italy. Michelangelo’s David was done during the High Renaissance Era 1501-1504. His David shows an intelligent and confident man right before the fight. During this time period, man was the measure of God. Michelangelo carved David’s body out of marble and he wanted it to look as perfect as it could, he wanted it to look God-like. Michelangelo was obsessed with the accuracy of human anatomy and seeing David up close is quite impressive. I got the change to see Michelangelo’s David in Florence. I had always heard that the David statue was enormous and larger than life, but then I got to experience it for myself. What I was most impressed with was the accuracy of the muscles and veins of David. His feet almost looked like a sandal made of veins. They looked very realistic. I was impressed with how curious David’s facial expression was. He looked as though he was beginning to start a battle, but has some kind of peace to him. Before going, I had seen pictures of David in textbooks, postcards, aprons, boxers and anything else Italy could put it on. However, when I saw him in the gallery, it was from a different angle. The pictures I had seen were usually taken at eye level to David. When I was in the gallery, I was looking up at him, my eyes in line with his feet. This was a totally different experience and I was overwhelmed with the intensity and awe of Michelangelo’s masterpiece.
In contrast to Michelangelo’s David, Bernini’s David is another one of the most well known David sculptures. While both artists depict David from the same story, they each catch him at different moments. Bernini’s David is right in the middle of the battle. He is using his sling to defeat David and gathering momentum as he steps forward. His entire body is tense and his muscles are even more intense. I was also able to see Bernini’s David in the Borghese Gallery in Rome, Italy. I was unexpectedly blown away by all of Bernini’s sculptures. His David engages the space and communicates his emotions to the viewer. This sculpture was done during the Baroque Era. During this time, artists were obsessed with having everything relate to the body and mind. David is fearful and dramatic. He is showing emotions and determined, unlike Michelangelo’s controlled and curious David. I thought the facials on Bernini’s David were moving. David is frowning, biting his lip, nervous and afraid. I appreciate how Bernini portrayed David as human showing normal human emotions. He is not trying to be God-like or confident. He is simply a man trying to defeat a giant. Both artists show a David, but what they show about him is completely different.
“Bernini’s David.” Bernini. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2013. <http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/Bernini-David.html>.
Miracles 