Michelangelo's David example essay topic

David- Power and Authority Michelangelo Buonarotti was born in Florence in 1475 and died there in 1564. To him, sculptures were the "making of men". His emphasis on the human form and content is displayed in all his works; the roundness and natural qualities of the human body are revealed in his sculptures, painting, and architecture. Michelangelo's approach to sculpture is to liberate the human body that was encased into the marble. This conviction and attention to detail produced one of the largest and most powerful statues of the Renaissance: "David". In 1501, Florence was surrounded by enemies much stronger and more numerous than the city was.

When the statue of David was placed on the square in front of the city hall, the people of Florence immediately identified with him, as a cunning victor over superior enemies. To them, David was a symbol representing "fortezza and ira", strength and anger. Michelangelo was fiercely patriotic to his city-state; in choosing "David" as the subject of his work, he incorporated in the size of the marble and the style of the statue the many symbols reflecting his allegiance to Florence. The size of "David" represented the victorious struggle of his city to become an independent city-state. It was the symbol of freedom, and it represented the Republic of Florence. Traditionally, David was portrayed after his victory, triumphant over Goliath.

Both Verrochio's and Donatello's David are depicted standing over Goliath's severed head. Michelangelo chose to depict David before the battle; ready to approach his mighty foe. Davis is tense, but not so much in a physical as in a mental sense. The slingshot he carries over his shoulder is almost invisible, emphasizing that David's victory was one of cleverness, not sheer force. Moreover, Michelangelo by contrast to Verrochio and Donatello presented him with tension and emotion, evident in every vein and muscle. The artist used the Hellenistic super human beauty and power, abandoning the self-contained compositions of the earlier figures, to render his human form.

The S-shaped curve of David combines balance, grace, strength and power. Devoid of idealization and "inert muscle groups" (Gardner 646), the sculptor intended to alert viewers to his impending strength to come. Michelangelo's skill in rendering the heroic physique is seen in the most beautiful contours of his legs, attachments of limbs and slender outlines. He depicts the ideal youth who has just reached manhood and is capable of great physical and intellectual feats, which is part of the Classical tradition.

His easy and graceful pose, feet, hands and limbs are in perfect harmony, exhibiting a notion of reserved energy along with the characteristic "Terribilita". It is this quality of the sublime shadowed by the awesome and fearful that continues to inspire and awe us even today. Michelangelo's David demonstrates his knowledge of proportions with regard the human figure. The statue stands far taller than an average person, yet it looks natural at any angle. The size and exaggerated proportions of this figure - for example, the large hands, long body and prominent features - serve to enhance the "whole mood" along with the "posture of tense expectation". , amplifying "the psychological energy of his pose" (Gardner 646).

His choice for a exaggerated head for David emphasized his youth; also if rendered in 'correct' proportion, the head would appear too small as it stands some 7 m above ground level. David is not just a sculpture, but a monument, a symbol of the exemplary Florence. Michelangelo transferred all his doubts and passions to create this compositional and emotional masterpiece; thereby giving us a glimpse of his artistic genius..