David

by Donatello

1430–1440 A.D

<a href="http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Donatello-David.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2441" src="http://jeanatacc.com/2011/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Donatello-David-160x300.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="300" /></a>

This statue was the first  work of bronze during the Renaissance, and the first nude male sculpture. As it is symbolically relevant to the theme of biblical figure of the time, it should be noted that as it has religious context, it was also highly controversial as the statue was nude.It depicts David , standing on Goliath's severed head just after defeating him. He is completely naked, aside from a hat and boots, holding the sword of Goliath. This piece was commissioned by the Medici family and placed in the courtyard of the Medici Palace in Florence. After the Medici were exiled from Florence in 1494, the statue was moved to the courtyard of the Palazzo della Signoria, then was moved to the Pitti Palace in the 17th century, then to the Uffizi in 1777, and then finally, in 1865 to the Bargello museum where it is preserved today.

At the time of it's creation, the Renaissance was gaining momentum, and many were going against the grain. It was being established that to be a new thinker, one must create something controversial and give their work a reason to be talked about. This statue is an excellent example of the ideas of the time of being controversial and bold.

As were many such artistic works, it is similar in that is a sculpture of a religious figure, which was a popular depiction of the time. Many artists prefer to take inspiration from the bible and depicted them through paintings, sculptures, or musical works. In this instance Donatello's statue was believed to be commissioned by Cosimo de' Medici, though it is unknown. The most typical thing about it is it's stance and portrayal of David as to sy more than his defeat of Goliath.  As discussed by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker from Khan Academy, they explain in better detail the complexity and depth of the work. Dr. Steven Zucker goes on to say; " This intimacy is not simply a result of the nudity, but also of the emotional experience Donatello renders through the face and even the stance of the body—and it's so unexpected in the telling of the story of David and Goliath! I would expect rather a triumphal victorious figure, maybe holding the sword and the enemy's severed head aloft... Instead, here is a thoughtful, quiet, contemplative face."

Aside from it being forged from bronze, it is unusual in that it was a nude sculpture, but then it isn't. For the most part, David isn't wearing anything other than a hat and boots, which if worn today would still count as "indecent exposure", but you could argue that you aren't actually nude. From the nudity of the sculpture, it's most innovative point is bringing back humanity and becoming more personal with this work through it's nudity Dr. Beth Harris discusses; " I think it's important to stress that this figure is free-standing. Sculpted figures have finally been detached from architecture and are once again independent in the way they were in ancient Greece and Rome. And because he's free-standing, he is more human, more real...I wish I could go back in time to Florence in the 1400s, to this remarkable moment, to witness the rebirth of Humanism."

At it's initial creation it wasn't appealing to the religious types because of it's nudity and feminine depiction of David, but many thought it was an excellent, in-depth work. Artible.com states; "While scholars may disagree about David's origins, one thing they do wholeheartedly agree on is the extraordinary success it enjoyed immediately upon completion. Despite David's apparently controversial composition, there is no record of public outcry or indignation regarding the statue. It was placed in the town hall of Florence in the 1490s, very strong evidence that it was not viewed as lewd or outrageous."

Of the people who appreciate art and it's depictions, it's stories, and their meanings, it is regarded very highly. Mostly for it's revival of humanism, but also for it's figure and simplicity. Not many people know of this statue due to it's size and standing in the shadow of Michelangelo's David, but of the people who do, it is greatly admired.

In contrast to Michelangelo's David, made of marble and holding the sling-shot, they both depict David very differently. Michelangelo depicted David as more masculine, with less objects, (ie: no hat or boots), Where as Donatello's David is shown as a warrior-victor, yet very feminine. As Guy Shaked points out: "Donatello most likely received the idea of Ancient time warriors fighting in the nude with helmet and boots from Greek Vase paintings depicting such scenes. However, at his time, it is unknown whether Donatello had available to him one of the Greek vases with such a depiction. Unlike, these ancient warriors, David has instead of a helmet (symbolizing the warrior) - the shepherd's hat, in order to identify him as a shepherd as well as a warrior."

Personally, I appreciate that it is made from bronze, as it is difficult to meld bronze. And the most meaningful part to me is David standing on the head of Goliath. It shows the 'certain victory' factor that other depictions of David lack, but what David is mostly known for. And for this Time capsule proposal, the thing I appreciate most that has helped me understand and give me insight on this work would go to Google. It pulled um many sites and many discussions that gave me new knowledge and perspective on this statue.

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<strong>Harris, Beth. "Explore Smarthistory." Smarthistory.khan Academy. Khan Academy, n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2012. &lt;http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/Donatello.html&gt;.</strong>

<strong>"David." Artble: The Home of Passionate Art Lovers. Artible, n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2012. &lt;http://www.artble.com/artists/donatello/sculpture/david&gt;.</strong>

<strong>haked, Guy. "Donatello's David." Donatello's David. Guy Shaked, n.d. Web. 17 Sept. 2012. &lt;http://www.guyshaked.com/donatello.html&gt;</strong>

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