David (Michelangelo)
Colossal marble statue by Michelangelo, symbol of Florentine civil liberties.
David is a marble sculpture created from 1501 to 1504 by Michelangelo. It is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance sculpture and the first colossal marble statue made in the High Renaissance, as well as the first since classical antiquity. The statue originally was commissioned as one of a series of twelve prophets for the roofline of Florence Cathedral but was instead placed in the public square in front of the Piazza della Signoria, where it was unveiled on 8 September 1504. In 1873, it was moved to the Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence, and a replica was installed at the original site in 1910.
- artist
- Michelangelo
- material
- marble
- height
- 5.17 metres (17 ft 0 in)
- commissioned_by
- Operai del Duomo (Overseers of the Office of Works)
- location_original
- Piazza della Signoria, Florence
- location_current
- Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence
- unveiled
- 8 September 1504
Lore & Background
Michelangelo believed a single block of stone contained all possible conceptions for a work of art, and that the artist's task was to reveal the ideal form within. He used a method of chiseling the parts in highest relief first, then gradually revealing lower parts. The massive block of white marble, of bianco ordinario grade, came from the Fantiscritti quarry in Carrara and was transported by oxen-pulled carts and barges up the river Arno to Florence. When the finished statue was moved to the Piazza della Signoria over four days, a guard was placed to protect it from violence by other artists who had hoped for the commission, and the sculpture was damaged by stones, leaving visible marks on its back.
Reader's Guide
The statue of David soon came to symbolize the defence of civil liberties embodied in the 1494 constitution of the Republic of Florence, an independent city-state threatened by rival states and the Medici family. The commission was made during a decisive period in Florentine history, in defiance of the menace represented by Lorenzo de' Medici's successors. The statue set a precedent for the 16th century and beyond, being the first colossal marble statue since classical antiquity. Its placement in the public square, the seat of civic government, rather than on the cathedral roofline, reinforced its political meaning. The statue's significance endures as a representation of the artistic and civic ideals of the Italian Renaissance, and its move to the Galleria dell'Accademia in 1873 ensured its preservation for future generations.
Did You Know?
- The statue was originally commissioned as one of a series of twelve prophets for the roofline of Florence Cathedral.
- The block of marble had been previously worked on by Agostino di Duccio and later by Antonio Rossellino, but both left it unfinished.
- Michelangelo was 26 years old when he received the official contract on 16 August 1501.
- The statue was damaged by stones during its move to the Piazza della Signoria, leaving visible marks on its upper back.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is David by Michelangelo?
It is a colossal marble sculpture carved between 1501 and 1504, depicting the biblical hero David before his confrontation with Goliath. Standing roughly 5.17 metres tall, it is widely regarded as a defining masterpiece of the Italian High Renaissance.
Where is Michelangelo's David located today?
The original statue has stood in the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence since 1873, when it was moved indoors for preservation. A replica was installed at its original public site in the Piazza della Signoria in 1910.
Why is David (Michelangelo) considered so important?
It is the first colossal free-standing marble figure produced in the High Renaissance and the first of that scale since classical antiquity. Beyond its artistic achievement, the statue became a lasting emblem of Florentine civic pride and republican liberty.
Who commissioned Michelangelo's David and where was it originally meant to go?
The work was ordered by the Operai del Duomo, the Overseers of the Office of Works, as one of a planned series of prophet figures for the roofline of Florence Cathedral. It was ultimately placed in the public square in front of the Palazzo della Signoria, where it was unveiled on 8 September 1504.
What material is David (Michelangelo) made of and how large is it?
The entire figure was carved from a single block of marble and measures 5.17 metres (17 feet) in height. Its sheer scale made it the largest free-standing marble sculpture of the High Renaissance at the time of its completion.
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