SCULPTURE

RENAISSANCE

AUTHOR

• The author of this work isMichelangelo Buonarrotti, one of the greatest and most versatile artists of alltimes.

• He produced great works in all branches of art and wasone of the best painters, architects and sculptors of the Renaissance. (pg 88)

PERIOD

• Michelangelo is one of thefour great artists of theCinquecento (pg 86), whichis the term used to describe the 16th century art, whichflourished in Rome (pg 84), although this work waspresented in Florence before he was called by thePope.

CHARACTERISTICS• This sculpture, like other

Renaissance works, wasinspired by models of theAntiquity, like theharmonious forms of Greeksculptures.

• Michelangelo tried to capture the idea of beautyof human beings. It isrepresented with a nakedbody and a strong figure. (pg 84)

CHARACTERISTICS

• Great importance was givento proportions and anatomical studies. We can appreciate that in David’sbody details.

• Although it is an idealisedfigure, Michelangelo triedto capture David’spersonality, by the look in his eyes. (pg 87)

HISTORIC CONTEXT• Europe left Medieval Ages

behind and started a periodin which monarchies weremuch more powerful.

• New lands were discoveredand colonised by Europeankingdoms.

• Humanists studied human thought, and defended thesearch for truth throughreason and experience. (pg83)

HISTORIC CONTEXT

• Discoveries were also madein science, like anatomy, geography, cartography, botany and zoology. (pg 84)

• Italy wasn’t a country liketoday. It was divided in different states. Florence was small but powerful, and that’s what David represents defeatingGoliath.

IMPORTANCE FOR TODAY

• David has beenrepresented bymany authorsbut thissculpture byMichelangelo isthe most famousand probably themost popular sculpture in Art’sHistory.