Donatello And Michelangelo's David Essay

As a tribute to the story of the Bible, Donatello and Michelangelo both recreated David through their own interpretations. Both artists were similarly influenced by the environment around them as they recreated this figure. The sculpted faces of Donatello’s and Michelangelo’s Davids each reflect a representation of the Florentine government at the time of their creation. Although the actual date of the sculpting of David is unknown, a rough estimate claims for it to be around 1420s to 1460s. Originally showcased in the Medici Plaza, Donatello’s bronze statue David showed a young boy standing in his glory. A closer inspection of the face points out certain details that to a bigger claim. The most noticeable feature when closely examining the statue is David’s smile. The smile contours of the smile are clear with he tips being emphasized in the bronze. The crinkles around each eye add to the smile, making it seem true in nature as well. The smile seems to be one of great triumph and glory. The head is tilted downward, …show more content…
In Roman male statues, a part of the figure’s toga is bunched over the left shoulder, consequently aways the left shoulder, as a symbol of social position and power. As a parallel, the sling over Michelangelo’s David is on his left side and can be seen as a connection to Roman antiquity. A source of Michelangelo’s recognition for such a connection is impossible but the connection such a motif is bought about is not a theory that is shut down. References to both ancient gods and to the deeds of the hero, whether military, athletic, or political is a technique used often in art. David is the hero to be equated with the demigods of myth. The David symbolizes civic pride and the dignity of freedom of all humanity. Its derivation from antiquity highlight the its rock-like strength and his