Christina Sposato
Professor Jaime Haugh
HUM 2235
20 October 2015
David and Goliath: Donatello vs. Michelangelo It is not unusual for two artists to depict the same picture, moment, or person in their works. Often times, it can be quite interesting to see the similarities and differences between them. An example of this is the sculpture of David, created by both Michelangelo and Donatello. Through studying both of these pieces, it is clear that Donatello’s David was historically correct, and that Michelangelo’s David was a beautiful masterpiece. In Donatello’s David, the sculpture is very historically realistic and represents David close to what he may have looked like. This is the exact opposite for Michelangelo’s David. Historically, the
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Donatello’s David portrays the moment just after David’s victory. “… It captures the most triumphant moment in the biblical story: It is the instant after David has decapitated Goliath. His public life has begun” (O’Mara). David is also holding the stone in his left hand on his hip and the sword in his right. Michelangelo’s David is sculpted to show David just before his victory. This is something new, because almost every renaissance artist that had depicted David up to this time chose to show off the moment after the battle. In Michelangelo’s David, David is extremely confident. He has a slight smirk on his face and looks ready to face the giant Goliath. This is historically incorrect. The young David was not quite as confident in the moments prior to facing the giant. In the story, David is relying on God to help him win the fight. Michelangelo portrayed David as a confident man, and doesn’t look like he’s relying on anyone’s help, let alone …show more content…
Although vastly different, these statues do contain some common similarities. For example, both sculptures posed David in a classical Contrapposto stance. Contrapposto is an Italian term that roughly translates to counterpose. Its definition can be described as a human figure positioned with most of its weight on one leg. This stance was first seen in ancient Greece around 480 BC. Artists have been using this form in their own artwork ever since. Both sculptures in particular have an over exaggerated Contrapposto stance and for that reason strongly resembles classical Greek art. Also, both sculptors chose to sculpt David naked, which is not uncommon for artists to do. This is most likely to show his age and make him appear to be vulnerable. The vulnerability is intended to further showcase his
This means that they can be viewed from all angles and are not attached to the a background (135). In both sculptures there are some very interesting disproportions. Both sculptures depict Mary larger than her son. In Michelangelo's sculpture specifically the way he sculpted her was to symbolized different things.
As a result of David choosing to depict the initial moment that the action began to take place in The Oath of Horatii, it is charged with anticipation and intensity that would not be present in the other paintings. The emotions of the scene are also exaggerated through the shapes of their bodies; the men are characterized by strong, geometric lines, vivid colors, and the exacting light emphasize their readiness for combat while the women are in muted colors, are curved, and with soft lines to contrast with the men showing how their hopes to avoid a battle were ignored and they were pushed to the side. David used extreme emphasis to show that they men were ready for a battle that would be going on outside of the painting and the conflict between the men and the women within the painting. Rodin also uses exaggeration within his sculpture; he exaggerates the emotion and gravity of the situation. The hands and the feet of the men are literally out of proportion- they are larger than average which exaggerates their limbs.
(Document 7). This is vital to explaining the difference between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance because it depicts a mortal human with lifelike details. During the Middle Ages, sculptures were less realistic, and typically of higher beings that were not human. However, during the Renaissance, that changed. Sculptors had a firmer grasp on drapery, as seen in David, anatomy, and perspective.
When another artist remakes the work of a former one it always gives a sense of admiration and gives another point of view on the topic. The two sculptures of David are both breath taking. However, Bernini and Michelangelo achieve this feeling in diverse ways. Bernini’s David gives the sense of a Baroque styled sculpture. Meaning that it expresses a grandiose image that portrays masculinity.
This nude sculpture shows a feminine aspect. For example, David stands with the left thigh exposed. The way he holds a sword and the way he leans his weight (contrapposto), all perfectly stand out the character of David. Contrappdosto is an Italian word meaning an asymmetrical arrangement of the human figure where the lines of the arms and shoulders are contrasted in order to balance the hips and legs while standing. In other words, Donatello’s David is very sensual, especially his sexual expression.
This shows the change David has made with his views and choices. In the beginning of the book, David wished for extra arms as a harmless joke only to realize that making that joke costed him and got beat by his father. David then kept quiet as he didn’t want to express his own feelings due to trauma he has suffered. By the end of the book, David runs away with his friends in protest to his father’s rules and to express who he truly is. From the beginning of the book to the end, David has shown examples of him changing who he is as a person for the better.
1. The artist Donatello molded a figure of David, the figure stands at 158 cm tall. It is currently on display in Florence, Italy and the medium used is bronze. The second figure was created by Michelangelo, the figure stands at 13’5″ tall and was carved from a single rectangular piece of marble. It is currently on display inside the Accademia Museum in Florence.
Donatello's David is a prime example of utilizing the Greek and Roman ability
Michelangelo once said, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free”. If Michelangelo actually did this with every sculptor could modern artist be doing the same thing to follow in his footsteps. Michelangelo’s artwork affects modern society by influencing many modern-day artists to become sculptors, painters and more. He also influenced types of art such as frescoes and ceiling paintings. To add to this his sculptures are discussed in today’s conversations.
Michelangelo was the first Italian artist to depict the duo in such a position. Furthermore, Michelangelo differed from previous
Michelangelo had a gigantic influence on the renaissance. He was a master at both painting and sculpting, he also was an architect, engineer, and poet. During his day he was unbeatable in his painting and sculpting skills. He had many artist study under him and help him with painting the Sistine Chapel in Vatican, but none were on par with him.
David is a topic from the Old Testament, which is widely repeated and done by many artists. David is a story where it shows that not only does strength wins in a battle but also wits. Each artist depicts David in different views and moments, like Michelangelo who is an Italian sculptor painter, architect, and poet of the High Renaissance, another is Gian Lorenzo Bernini who is an Italian architect and sculptor, and he was credited with creating the Baroque style of sculpture. Although both artists depicted David, but each one had different style where Bernini’s is more expressive then Michelangelo’s. Looking at both sculptures of David, there are some similarities which can be noticed.
In both sculptures the hair is deeply carved and is a vivid feature of the busts. The detail of realism in David’s left hand we can see his veins on his hands when he is holding the slingshot and his ribs near the chest. In the bust of Commodus we can see the similar detail of his hands especially the joints above the knuckle area and how realistic it looks when he’s holding the apples and Hercules club on his. In both busts chest, arms and face are sooth. In both busts these sculptures have the portrait of emperor Commodus and the small town hero David as musculant where as in real life they weren’t this is done because Romans believed that the god made us humans and by showing David and Commodus as being musculant hey are portraying them as gods and God were portrayed to be musculant and strong.
Donatello’s bronze statue of David with his foot placed upon Goliath’s severed head was a symbol of the power of Florence and
Yet two different time zones but still the same concept, Donatello and Michelangelo both made David a masterpiece for the world to see. Reviewing both statues I can tell Donatello used his talent in a more