Michelangelo's David Lecture Notes

Context and Commission

• Location: Currently in the Accademia, Florence.
• Original Purpose: Intended to decorate the outside of the cathedral, not a museum.
• Artist: Michelangelo, commissioned at age 26.
• Scale: Large sculpture intended to be placed 40 feet above street level.

Historical Background

• Previous Success: Following Michelangelo's success with the Pietà in Rome.
• Marble Origin: Carved from an abandoned block of marble.
• Florentine Political Climate:
  • Florence was originally a republic, dominated by the Medici banking family.
  • The Medici were ousted, and a republic was reestablished.
  • Rise and fall of Savonarola, theocratic influence, bonfire of the vanities.
  • Post-Savonarola, Florence defeats two tyrants: the Medici and Savonarola.

Symbolism of David

• Biblical Story: David defeats Goliath, symbolizing good overcoming evil.
• Florentine Identification: Seen as underdogs, like David.
• Precedents: Donatello and Verrocchio's Davids.
  • Donatello's David was first a Medici symbol, then appropriated by the Republic.
• Cultural Revival: Rediscovery of ancient Greek and Roman traditions.
• Contrapposto Stance: Classical stance, weight on one leg, signifying readiness.

Interpretation and Placement

• Moment Depicted: David before the battle, a tense, anticipatory moment.
• Emotion: Uncertainty, human struggle, rather than divine confidence.
• Public Reaction: Too magnificent to be placed high on the cathedral.
• New Location: In front of the government building, shifting from religious to political symbol.
• Controversy and Impact:
  • Seen as a symbol of the Florentine Republic.
  • Encountered resistance from Medici loyalists.

Legacy and Modern Perception

• Michelangelo's Nickname: "Il Divino" (the divine one).
• Current Context: Viewed as a work of art, expression of history, aesthetic appreciation.
• Transformation of Meaning: From religious to political, to art appreciation in modern secular museums.

Summary

Michelangelo's David serves as a powerful cultural artifact illustrating Florence's political history, the transformation of art over time, and the enduring legacy of Michelangelo's artistic mastery.