The original concept of the slaves included their helmets and chest gear that are no longer visible to the audience. The slavers were to depict the story of conquered and shame but Michelangelo concept changed as he chiseled the two slaves. The slaves are of a cold rock material but the surface look like there is soft touchable glimmering skin on a warm body. The Rebellious Salve looks as he is breaking through the marble slab while the Dying Slave looks tranquil and free of his bondage. If you look close at the Dying Slave his bondage can only be seen on his upper left arm and validly around his upper chest. The statue seems to have undressed himself from his restraints and of everything else in the world at that moment. His eyes are closed as he is in a deep euphoric sleep transcending up into the heavens. He no longer had to be an obedient slave to his master or capturer. I feel Michelangelo has made this slave a heroic figure of power because of his nudity. But on the other hand the slave had a harsh chiseled sculpture of an ape on the back of him. The monkey clings to the Dying Slave as if he is a pet that needs protection. There have been many suggestion of what the ape could mean, but no one is really sure. “This ape may be interpreted in line with Condivi’s description of the Tomb as symbolizing the fine arts, here painting, which according to Renaissance thought “aped …show more content…
Michelangelo has always created the male body with extreme details. For instant, the Dying Slave can be compared to David. The construction of the faces of both statues shows the expression of what the individuals are feeling at that very moment. The faces are idealized as in perfect form. The body of each statue shows the form of the muscles in the neck, arms, chest, stomach, legs, and the construction of the knees. Both statues are standing in a contrapposto position. David is facing his greatest battle in a stern and steady position, while the Dying Slave is breaking free of bondages. Michelangelo chiseled life, emotions, and movement into the cold, hard, marble slabs. He always had seen his work artwork hidden in the marble slab waiting to be freed. “It is one of the secrets of his art that has been admired ever since, that, however much he lets the bodies of his figures twist and turn in violent movement, their outline always remains firm, simple, and restful. The reason for this is that, from the very beginning, Michelangelo always tried to conceive his figures as lying hidden in