Michelangelo Buonarotti (1475 – 1546), a name forever etched in the books of history. On January 25, 1504, in Florence of Italy unveiled to the world his legacy (Crispino, 2001). One of the greatest pieces of art to come from the Renaissance era, Michelangelo’s David, was the reason for the fame and fortune that followed this great artist from 1504 till today. The 17 foot statue took a young Michelangelo almost five years to complete and now stands as tall and erect as ever before in the Galeria dell’Academia in Firenze, Italy. Michelangelo’s five year of labor and hard work is now considered to be the “poster-child” of the Renaissance Art movement that started in the 14th century and lasted for a couple hundred years.
The time was early 14 century, renaissance was here, and in Florence of Italy a large block of fine marble (cut from a small town in northern Italy, Carrara) was commissioned to be transformed into a sculptor. But it wasn’t till almost 50 years later that a young rising sculpture named Michelangelo transformed it into one of the greatest piece of art in history of human civilization. It wasn’t till many a skilled and veteran artist and sculptors failed to shape the marble brought to Florence, “the Giant”, that Michelangelo accepted the challenge to bring life to his “David”. When the huge rock of marble was sitting in the dust, it was he who saw David in it and decided to free him. Work on the rock had already begun by Augostino di Duccio in the year of 1464, who was hired to create a sculpture of David (Crispino, 2001). The story of David, obsessed by many renaissance artists and sculptors, is of a heroic young farmer who decides to take on a giant (Goliath) and defend the people of his land from invasion. But soon, Augostino’s contract had been terminated and the story of David had come to an early halt, until a young Michelangelo arrived at the doorsteps of Florence.
Michelangelo’s David embodied the very meaning of the word renaissance. Renaissance is considered to be an era when the European civilization rises again from death, giving new life to man (John T. Paoletti, 2005). The entire civilization was reborn with new knowledge based on classical learning foundations. The era mainly recognized for its wide spread of cultural and artistic movements inspired many a great scholars and artists to divulge themselves into the emotions of a human being. Every artist was trying to depict the colorful and cheery new way of life filled with all kinds of emotions and governed by the God. The church had turned itself into an immovable institution with influence over everything in the kingdom. During the time when the Christian religion had become almost a personal affair for the people of Europe, a young Michelangelo saw himself as a master (almost like a God) who was going to create David (his Adam). Even though there have been many portrayals of David none of them carried the poise and intensity of Michelangelo’s work of art. Michelangelo’s piece was the only rendering of David that showed the young warrior frozen in the middle of the moment before the fight and after the arriving at the decision to fight. It shows a full bodied man, just aged from young boy, showing his intent and not regretting the choice that he made for himself. The sculpture is a perfect piece of art that also paid tribute to the art of the old days (Greek Art).
Michelangelo’s David possessed the same characteristic as other classic sculptures of the Greek era. The magnificent piece of Michelangelo’s creation is shaped in a slight “S” curve that hints at the influence of the contrapposto style previously used in Greek sculptures (John T. Paoletti, 2005). By having the human sculpture lay one leg forward and tilting the hips in one direction gives the piece an illusion of a freer and more life-like. The Greek sculptures showed the human body as the ultimate in God’s creation: healthy, strong, muscular and natural. Michelangelo’s David regains all of these characteristics plus many more. Michelangelo adds life to his sculpture by giving intensity to David’s face as well as his stance. David holding the sling over his shoulder and grasping tightly on the stone, showing his veins and looking out at the horizon greatly depicts the intent of the young man who is about to begin a heroic journey.
Michelangelo’s David has, over a period of time, become the symbol of Renaissance sculptures and is considered by many the only truly “great and heroic” depiction of the real David. The influence of this particular piece of Michelangelo is so great that there have been many a replicas of the original installed all over the world. But the magnificent 17 foot tall human form is one piece of art that everyone should travel to Florence (Italy) to eye-witness its glory. Personally I have not yet had the pleasure of witnessing this stunningly beautiful piece of art, but have been told by many about its elegance. It’s the eye-witnessed renderings of others that have influenced me to research and learn more about this classic piece of timeless art.
