Michelangelo Vs. Donatello: The David’s Compared and Contrasted
Michelangelo and Donatello are two of the world’s most renowned artist and their sculptures both titled “David” are famous and frequently-discussed works of Italian renaissance art. Although both of these sculptures are named the same they’re far from being just that. Each artist created their own unique version of their character. The gigantic David by Michelangelo was finished in 1504 and placed outside the entrance to the Palazzo della Signoria, where it remained until 1873 when it was replace by a copy. It was commissioned by Opera del Duomo for the Cathedral of Florence. Giorgio Vasari wrote, “And without any doubt the figure has put in the shade every other statue, ancient …show more content…
The argument for this homoerotic content is bases on many specific features. One of these reasons is because David is nude and in the bible it never says this, only that he took off the armor Saul had given. Although, Donatello is not the first to interpret David as being nude, Michelangelo’s version and others are nude. Another being its prepubescent body which is undeniably male when you look at it from the front, but from other angles the gender might be considered ambiguous. From behind the figure’s gender cannot be determined. Especially since the pose which has an exaggerated hip displacement that the French call déhanchement. Déhanchement is often thought of as “effeminate”, which means having or showing characteristics of a …show more content…
The helmet of Goliath also shows a cupid pulling a chariot in which another cupid is riding meaning the triumph of love. One of the most significant details supporting a homoerotic theme is the wings of Goliaths helmet that caress the inner thighs of David all the way up to the groin. It is seen as homoerotic because it literally focuses on the buttocks of the boy. Also Donatello himself was very open about his male-male relations.
Donatello’s and Michelangelo’s David are very different but they do have a few similarities. They both depict David as nude and in contrapposto pose. And both were symbols of Florence. Although, there are more difference between them like the age of David. As well as that Donatello’s Goliath symbolized Milan and Michelangelo’s Goliath symbolized the Medici.
I prefer Michelangelo’s David over Donatello’s because of the strength and power it symbolizes. I also prefer the Marble over the bronze because I feel like it catches the eye better. Michelangelo also put in more detail that made David look more realistic. Michelangelo’s David is also bigger, which I feel does a better job at embodying the essence of Florence. I also like that instead of doing what had already been done he created a revolutionary interpretation that had not been done
Michelangelo and Donatello are two of the world’s most renowned artist and their sculptures both titled “David” are famous and frequently-discussed works of Italian renaissance art. Although both of these sculptures are named the same they’re far from being just that. Each artist created their own unique version of their character. The gigantic David by Michelangelo was finished in 1504 and placed outside the entrance to the Palazzo della Signoria, where it remained until 1873 when it was replace by a copy. It was commissioned by Opera del Duomo for the Cathedral of Florence. Giorgio Vasari wrote, “And without any doubt the figure has put in the shade every other statue, ancient …show more content…
The argument for this homoerotic content is bases on many specific features. One of these reasons is because David is nude and in the bible it never says this, only that he took off the armor Saul had given. Although, Donatello is not the first to interpret David as being nude, Michelangelo’s version and others are nude. Another being its prepubescent body which is undeniably male when you look at it from the front, but from other angles the gender might be considered ambiguous. From behind the figure’s gender cannot be determined. Especially since the pose which has an exaggerated hip displacement that the French call déhanchement. Déhanchement is often thought of as “effeminate”, which means having or showing characteristics of a …show more content…
The helmet of Goliath also shows a cupid pulling a chariot in which another cupid is riding meaning the triumph of love. One of the most significant details supporting a homoerotic theme is the wings of Goliaths helmet that caress the inner thighs of David all the way up to the groin. It is seen as homoerotic because it literally focuses on the buttocks of the boy. Also Donatello himself was very open about his male-male relations.
Donatello’s and Michelangelo’s David are very different but they do have a few similarities. They both depict David as nude and in contrapposto pose. And both were symbols of Florence. Although, there are more difference between them like the age of David. As well as that Donatello’s Goliath symbolized Milan and Michelangelo’s Goliath symbolized the Medici.
I prefer Michelangelo’s David over Donatello’s because of the strength and power it symbolizes. I also prefer the Marble over the bronze because I feel like it catches the eye better. Michelangelo also put in more detail that made David look more realistic. Michelangelo’s David is also bigger, which I feel does a better job at embodying the essence of Florence. I also like that instead of doing what had already been done he created a revolutionary interpretation that had not been done