Three Davids

Three Davids

Comparison of Three Sculptures

ART 101
October 21, 2011

Comparison of Three Sculptures
David was the second king of Israel; he destroyed Goliath, the Philistine giant, with just a stone and a sling. Donatello, Michelangelo, and Bernini each designed drastically different sculptures of David, each a masterpiece unique in its own way.

“David” by Donatello

Donatello’s David was the first free standing nude of the Christian era. Donatello made a major impact on Renaissance with his statue if David. Donatello used the shallow relief technique that he invented on David. This technique makes the sculpture appear to have a deep plane when actually it is a very shallow plane. Following ancient Greek sculpture and Humanist theories, Donatello’s David displays the human body as a functioning organism where the personality of the person sculpted radiates confidence. Donatello’s David does not appear to be admiring the head of the giant he has just slain; instead David seems to be admiring his own powerful body. David seems to be becoming aware of his body’s beauty and newfound strength. Self admiration is a dominate characteristic of Renaissance art.

“David” by Michelangelo

Michelangelo sculpted his David in 1501. Michelangelo’s David was not done in the traditional representation of David. Michelangelo does not present the viewer with a winning David. The giant’s head is not at David’s feet and the powerful sword is not in his hand. Instead, David is portrayed as a youth, tense with a sense of power gained right before going into battle. This opens the viewer’s imagination up to see how David may have felt when he realized his people needed his help in the battle against Goliath. Michelangelo’s David is highly detailed from his messy hair to his well defined muscles. David by Michelangelo has a passion and strength.

“David” by Bernini

During the 1600s a cocky new artist named Bernini decided to do his own sculpture of David that once complete would...