Michelangelo's David (1501–04) Flashcards
Q: What is the biblical story depicted in Michelangelo’s David?
A: The story of David from 1 Samuel 17, where a young shepherd boy defeats Goliath with a slingshot, symbolizing God’s power.
Q: Why was the story of David significant to Florence?
A: The story of David, a small yet powerful hero, aligned with Florence’s identity as a republic defending its liberties against larger, tyrannical forces.
Q: What is significant about the size and material of Michelangelo’s David?
A: It is a colossal statue (13 ft tall), carved from a single block of Carrara marble, the largest nude since antiquity, linking Florence to classical ideals.
Q: What is the pose of Michelangelo’s David, and why is it significant?
A: David is in contrapposto, with a dynamic yet relaxed stance. This reflects Renaissance ideals of balance, naturalism, and human dignity.
Q: How can we identify the figure as David?
A: The slingshot and stone are the only attributes linking the figure to the biblical hero, stripped of unnecessary details to evoke a range of meanings.
Q: How does Michelangelo convey tension in David?
A: The furrowed brow, bulging veins, and intense gaze suggest David is poised for battle, embodying outward calm but inward readiness.
Q: Why are David’s head and hands oversized?
A: The oversized head and hands were designed for viewing from a height on the cathedral buttress and emphasize his intellect and strength.
Q: How does David reflect humanist ideals?
A: The naturalistic yet idealized depiction of the male form emphasizes human potential, intellect, and divine purpose, central to Renaissance humanism.
Q: How does David reference classical antiquity?
A: Its heroic nudity and contrapposto stance echo classical sculptures like the Colossus of Rhodes and the Belvedere Torso.
Q: What was Michelangelo’s view on sculpture compared to painting?
A: Michelangelo believed sculpture was superior, emphasizing the three-dimensional form and its closer relation to divine creation.
Q: How did Michelangelo’s technique enhance David’s realism?
A: He utilized the translucency of marble, detailed veins, undercutting in the hair, and drilled pupils to create lifelike textures and expressions.
Q: How did Michelangelo’s study of anatomy influence David?
A: Extensive dissections and life drawing informed the naturalistic details of the male form, although proportions were idealized for effect.
Q: Who commissioned David, and for what purpose?
A: The Opera del Duomo, originally intending David as one of a series of prophets for the Florence Cathedral’s dome.
Q: What challenges did Michelangelo face with the marble block?
A: The block had been abandoned and partially carved, requiring Michelangelo to adapt his design to preexisting imperfections.
Q: Why was David not placed on the cathedral buttress as planned?
A: Its civic and symbolic significance grew, and its size made it impractical to place so high. It was installed at the Palazzo della Signoria instead.
