David, Donatello

holds a sword in left hand (interpretation)

symbol of strength, small powers overcoming larger ones

lost wax process makes high levels of detail possible (interpretation)

highlights naturalism and nudity

bronze is polishable to a high sheen (interpretation)

highlights muscles and anatomical accuracy

figura serpentina (interpretation)

highlights his adolescent and feminised form

contraposto pose (interpretation)

strong naturalism shows influence of antiquity

pegasus winged boots (interpretation)

pegasus links him to Mercury showing an influence of Humanism

style (3 points)

1. early renaissance

2. classical influences

3. references to antiquity

composition (3 points)

1. bronze sculpture of david stood on the head of goliath

2. contraposto pose and figura serpentina

3. bronze allows for open pose

colour (3 points)

1. bronze, monochrome colour

2. gilded bronze hair

3. sombre colour gives gravitas

three dimensional space (3 points)

1. animation from contraposto pose

2. negative space influences composition

3. figura serpentina

light and tone (3 points)

1. right side of body captures light and highlights anatomy

2. free standing, light can be reflected from different viewpoints

3. gilded hair has luminous sensation

texture, pattern, ornamentation and decoration (3 points)

1. texture and pattern on goliaths head, defeat

2. pattern through figura serpentina

3. winged boots

materials techniques and processes (3 points)

1. lost wax process

2. polished to a high sheen

3. high tensile strength, open pose

volume, mass and form (3 points)

1. substantial volume

2. adolescent and feminised form

3. life size

line (3 points)

1. diagonals through the sword and pointed out knee

2. figura serpentina

3. anatomical detail of muscles

scale (3 points)

1. 1.58m

2. sword adds to height

3. appears larger

what is another old-testament figure grouping that Donatello created?

Judith and Holefernes (1456)

what other work of Donatello’s did Lorenzo’s brother in law commission?

Calvacanti Annunciation (1436-40)

who commissioned david?

Piero and Cosimo de Medici

What decade was hugely productive?

Following Cosimo’s return from exile in 1434.

What other work shows that the Medici wanted Donatello’s work?

• Calvacanti Annunciation (1436-40)

• Commissioned by Lorenzo’s brother in-law.

what was David originally created for?

The first Medici Palace on Via Larga

when was David moved and when?

The Medici’s new palace a few doors down & was documented as being in progress by 1444.

Why is this documentation useful?

Because no clear evidence surrounding an exact date for David exists.

David was the first of what since antiquity?

the first free-standing nude in large figure form

Why was it vital for Donatello to approach a nude?

Nude was the most celebrated subject in Classical sculpture.

What does bronze David anticipate?

Vercocchio’s David - the Medici sold to the Signoria in 1476.

what does Donatello’s david mark a huge development from?

His marble David of 1409, that was moved to the Palazzo Vecchio.

As well as being a Biblical figure, who else does David represent? Where is this evident?

Mercury, as seen in his boots and Pegasus hat

what was david strongly influenced by and who did this interest the most?

Humanism that interested Cosimo the most

what two things made Donatello interested in Humanism and antiquity?

his trip to Rome with Brunelleschi in 1402 and he was also friends with Alberti

Which Alberti text influenced Donatello?

the impact of Antiquity on art

why was David significant religiously?

Biblical subject that represents Christian values important in Renaissance Florence

When was this important subject documented?

By the time of Lorenzo’s wedding to Clarice Orsini in 1469.

What does the focus on youth show influence of?

• Spiritelli figures - classical putti.

• Portrayed in playful & energising poses.

Example of the classical references the Spiritelli figures made?

References e.g. Atys-Amorino C.1440.

What other old-testament figure has Donatello created?

Figure grouping in Judith & Holofernes (1456)

what was David a metaphor for, and why?

Florence as it was always vulnerable to attacks from larger powers such as Milan and Naples.

what theme was important to the Medici family and who was this focused on?

youth was important to the glorification of Medici lineage, focusing on Piero’s son, Lorenzo.

When did the mood strengthen for the Medici?

After Cosimo returned from exile of 1 year in 1434.

What happened when the symbolism of David became so strongly linked to the Medici?

• David was moved to the Signoria in 1495.

• Given a new inscription - showed he was for the people & not exclusively for Medici.

what did the bronze symbolise and what for?

it symbolised wealth as it was very expensive, for the Medici and Florence.

why was David suitable for a Florentine public audience?

• Mercury was the Patron God of Merchants

• Florence was a unique mercantile republic

Donatello’s skill with bronze?

• Superb at the lost wax process of casting.

• He super-seeded Ghiberti his former teacher in the creation of large free-standing figures.

Vasari source

“natural in its vitality and delicacy”

Paolotti and Radke source

“David’s youthfulness is key to understanding its placement”

What did restoration draw attention to?

Extensive gilding of hair, boots & head of Goliath.