The differences between the Davids
Image: http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/michelangelo-1.jpg, http://blognitivedissonance.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/bernini-david.jpg, http://jaysblogspectacular.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/donatello-david.jpg.
Info: Michelangelo, 1504, carrara marble, 17’ tall, Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence, Italy. Bernini, 1623-1634, marble, 67” tall, Galleria Borghese, Rome, Italy. Donatello, 1440s, bronze, 62.2” tall, Museo Nazionale del Bargello.
Explanation: These sculptures are all of the Biblical hero David (of David and Goliath). The story goes that the Philistine army was preparing to go to war against Israel. A nine-foot giant came out each day for 40 days, challenging the Israelites to fight him. His name was Goliath.
When Jesse sent his youngest son, David, to check on his brothers in the war zone, he saw Goliath threatening the Israel soldiers. David spoke out and volunteered to fight the giant. Carrying only a staff, some stones and a slingshot, David approached Goliath. Goliath cursed David out, but David slung a stone at his forehead, which flew through his armor.
Goliath died. Using Goliath’s sword, David cut off the giant’s head. Seeing this, the Philistines ran away, and the Israelites won.
Of course, the depiction of David became something of a standard in art; many artists have created their own versions of the man – notably, Michelangelo, Bernini and Donatello.
My opinion: No one said my blog had to be all paintings, right? I know I didn’t do these chronologically – instead I set them up so that the differences were clear.
Donatello’s David is much too feminine for my taste – David was supposed to be lithe, yes, but that doesn’t mean scrawny – and I think the bronze is distracting. The color of the sculpture draws away from the importance of the subject. Maybe Donatello tried a bit too hard to break societal norms while creating this piece. In my opinion, at least, his statement kind of backfired.
Bernini’s David is alright. I think Bernini might have been preoccupied by the opportunity to show off his muscle modeling. I take issue with Bernini’s David because the man appears older (and wiser) than he is described in the story. However, I do love how Bernini captures David frozen in time.
My favorite David is Michelangelo’s. I think his sculpture is majestic and noble; his depiction of David matches the image in my mind. His body is subtly muscular; his face is young. David is paused, holding a stone in a gigantic hand, but is looking confidently towards his foe.
Just gorgeous.
Source: http://christianity.about.com/od/biblestorysummaries/p/davidandgoliath.htm.
