Michelangelo, David, marble, 1501-04 (Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence) A conversation with Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris.
His perfect beauty reminds me of Pico della Mirandola, who imagines God saying to man at the creation, “Thou shalt have the power out of thy soul’s judgment to be reborn into the higher forms which are divine.”
Here is Vasari’s description of David,
…nor has there ever been seen a pose so easy, or any grace to equal that in this work, or feet, hands and head so well in accord, one member with another, in harmony, design, and excellence of artistry. (Translated by Gaston du C. de Vere)
Michelangelo’s David stands nearly 17 feet tall. Remember that the biblical figure of David was special to the citizens of Florence—he symbolized the liberty and freedom of their republican ideals, which were threatened at various points in the fifteenth century by the Medici family and others. Watch a video about the importance of the figure of David for Florence.
. Created by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker.
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