David
"David"
was the first major Renaissance sculpture and it is also the one of the most
important of the period. Many art historians recognize it as being not only one
of Donatello’s most famous pieces but also it was a “supreme expression” the
Renaissance spirit. One of the most significant factors always noticed it was
the first free standing nude statue to be made since the classical antiquity
that the Renaissance was seen to be a rebirth after the Middle Ages.
Donatello’s "David" exhibits a style known as contrapposto. Contrapposto was a stance where a person/figure was slightly bent as weight was placed on mainly one foot, which allowed for the torso to shift off axis in order to maintain balance. This style represents a natural stance that people use. One idea of Renaissance art was to capture way people looked and acted. "David’s stance is a perfect example of a natural human position.
Donatello’s bronze "David", is usually thought to show either the forces of civilization conquering savagery or an affirmation of the political dominance in Florence or Milan or the Medici family over business rivals. He developed his ideas for the statue’s design from images found on Greek vases together with some influencing by Brunelleschi. The statute expresses confidence and victory. What this says is that Donatello was trying to reintroduce the classical art periods back into society. He wanted society to reflect on the past and learn from the past. "David" looks strong because, Donatello wants people to understand the strength of humanity. He does not want people to forget that they built civilizations and built society.
Donatello depicts "David" as a small child in his sculpture. David in the story of David and Goliath is depicted as an average young man. Goliath is depicted as almost godlike. On the statue "David" is depicted as a young boy and Goliath’s head lies at his feet. Donatello seems to be trying to tell society that man was can conquer anything. They are strong enough and have enough willpower. If little David could defeat a giant then what was stopped humanity from conquering life itself. This statue represents a symbol of strength and hope for people.
Scholars and artists have studied David for year to fully understand the meaning of it. What is clear is that there are no accidental composition elements to "David". Donatello clearly had a specific plan for the construction of this statute. The statue’s pose is graceful and feminine. He is depicted with an expression that suggests purity, youth, and innocence.
Overall, "David" reflects the Renaissance period of “bring back” the classics. He was modeled after Greek and Roman art. His structure is very well built and reflects that of Roman and Greek gods and goddesses. The Renaissance was a time of rediscovering and learning. It was a time of reflection and time for new ideas to take place. "David", shows that reflection of old ideas through the way he was sculpted. He is very muscular and godlike looking. However, he reflects new ideas that were spread during the Renaissance period through his expression, pose, and the fact that he is nude. The Renaissance was, for many people, a time to stand up for what they wanted and believed in. They wanted to understand their own lives. "David" reflects self-discovery. It is a classical reflection of the Renaissance spirit.
Donatello’s "David" exhibits a style known as contrapposto. Contrapposto was a stance where a person/figure was slightly bent as weight was placed on mainly one foot, which allowed for the torso to shift off axis in order to maintain balance. This style represents a natural stance that people use. One idea of Renaissance art was to capture way people looked and acted. "David’s stance is a perfect example of a natural human position.
Donatello’s bronze "David", is usually thought to show either the forces of civilization conquering savagery or an affirmation of the political dominance in Florence or Milan or the Medici family over business rivals. He developed his ideas for the statue’s design from images found on Greek vases together with some influencing by Brunelleschi. The statute expresses confidence and victory. What this says is that Donatello was trying to reintroduce the classical art periods back into society. He wanted society to reflect on the past and learn from the past. "David" looks strong because, Donatello wants people to understand the strength of humanity. He does not want people to forget that they built civilizations and built society.
Donatello depicts "David" as a small child in his sculpture. David in the story of David and Goliath is depicted as an average young man. Goliath is depicted as almost godlike. On the statue "David" is depicted as a young boy and Goliath’s head lies at his feet. Donatello seems to be trying to tell society that man was can conquer anything. They are strong enough and have enough willpower. If little David could defeat a giant then what was stopped humanity from conquering life itself. This statue represents a symbol of strength and hope for people.
Scholars and artists have studied David for year to fully understand the meaning of it. What is clear is that there are no accidental composition elements to "David". Donatello clearly had a specific plan for the construction of this statute. The statue’s pose is graceful and feminine. He is depicted with an expression that suggests purity, youth, and innocence.
Overall, "David" reflects the Renaissance period of “bring back” the classics. He was modeled after Greek and Roman art. His structure is very well built and reflects that of Roman and Greek gods and goddesses. The Renaissance was a time of rediscovering and learning. It was a time of reflection and time for new ideas to take place. "David", shows that reflection of old ideas through the way he was sculpted. He is very muscular and godlike looking. However, he reflects new ideas that were spread during the Renaissance period through his expression, pose, and the fact that he is nude. The Renaissance was, for many people, a time to stand up for what they wanted and believed in. They wanted to understand their own lives. "David" reflects self-discovery. It is a classical reflection of the Renaissance spirit.