Michelangelo’s David in Florence: history and useful information
Michelangelo’s David is one of the most important sculptures in the Italian and international art scene and represents the symbol of masculine virility and beauty. This sculpture, made of marble by the famous Michelangelo Buonarroti, between 1501 and 1504, is kept in the Accademia Gallery in Florence. The marble statue evokes the biblical character David in a new, patriotic, heroic and republican guise; in fact, it wants to enhance the grandeur and grandeur of the Florentine Republic of the 1500s, focusing on the perfect lines of the character’s body and musculature.
Where is Michelangelo’s David in Florence
To be able to see this legendary and unique work in the history of the world art scene, it is necessary to visit the Accademia Gallery, near Piazza Duomo in Florence, where it was positioned to avoid its deterioration.
In fact, initially the statue was located in Piazza della Signoria in Florence.
In the beautiful Tuscan city there are three copies of the work (the original sculpture in the Accademia Gallery, a copy of David in Piazza della Signoria in front of Palazzo Vecchio and a third copy is instead in the center of Piazzale Michelangelo).
Recently another copy of the work was printed in 3D and exhibited at Expo 2021, to give prestige to Italy in the world. For more information on visiting hours and opening days of the Accademia Gallery, visit the website: www.florence-museum.com.
The heroic symbolism of David
In the work there is a whole heroic symbolism of the biblical character David who, as it is told in the Bible, was equipped only with a sling and a lot of faith in God against the evil symbolized by Goliath, who tries in every way to hinder the just man and anointed by God.
The good, however, that is David, with the strength of faith, is not overthrown: he challenges and defeats the giant, the cause of injustice and lack of freedom.
And it is for this symbolism that the Florentine Republic saw, in Michelangelo’s David, the expression of his greatness and his victory against the enemies of Florence. The statue of Michelangelo does not present, as often happens in the iconography of David, the sword and the decapitated head of the giant Goliath.
Michelangelo also chose to represent a completely naked David and in the moment before the battle in all his physical power; in his right hand he has only a stone while the sling rests on his left shoulder; his gaze is turned to his rival Goliath and the whole weight of his body rests on his right hand.
Historical Curiosities
The sculpture, 520 cm high, was previously commissioned to other artists (Agostino di Duccio and Antonio Rossellino) who, however, were unable to complete it and it remained, for some time, only a large block of marble, until it was commissioned to Michelangelo,
In fact, it was only he, at the age of 25, who had the courage to undertake this monumental work so demanding and tiring, which began in 1501 and ended three years later.
The commissioners of the work, at the end of the works, were amazed by its beauty and grandeur that exceeded all expected expectations and that it needed a very impressive and ambitious location, which was Piazza dei Priori, a symbolic square of Florentine political life.
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