FLASH NEWS
Three Davids, one legend, by three masters, Donatello, Michelangelo and Bernini
2023-12-24 12:00:12 / MISTERE&KURIOZITETE
We will compare three sculptures that are based on the biblical story of David's fight against the Philistine Goliath. We are looking at works by Donatello (1440), Michelangelo (1504) and Bernini (1624). We will take them in the chronology of the story and not in the order of the time they were written. Since most people know the basic outline of the biblical story where this creative life begins, we'll go straight to the sculptures.
Michelangelo placed his David in a situation just before the conflict. He, regardless of how the master idealizes him, was physically far from the capacity to face Goliath, philosophy finds in this the match of good with evil. But David, the good, the virtuous, is fearless and extremely confident in winning the match. This belief is evident in this
sculpture. Every muscle is tense. His gaze is fixed and he is determined, calm before the epic strike. It is reminiscent of an imposing Roman column, with a determined aura that almost makes the air around it stand still. So why he was carved without a stronger manhood is beyond logic but contoured in idealization.
Bernini sculpted his David in the act of throwing the fatal stone. This part is about movement and action rather than stillness. Take a second to focus on the space around David and notice how he feels. The twisting of his body is done so effectively that the space around him comes to life. And, combined with that determined face, I think twice about standing in front of him so I don't get hit with the rock myself. Bernini gave us an impressive level of engagement with a marble slab.
Donatello's David is a bronze cast of the scene after David's victory and is a brilliant blend of contrasts. Start with posture. He has a rather gentle pose, considering he's standing on top of a severed head. He is a delicate, gentle, perhaps feminine figure pressing his foot into the face of a dead man. And apparently he's running his toes through Goliath's chin. This is a grotesque juxtaposition. It's made even weirder by the huge arm on Goliath's helmet. You can't quite see the dynamism from the photo, but it reaches far enough up David's leg that he'll be a little excited to cover them with feathers.
However, these are three Davids of a legend, in three masterpieces, in three monuments exalted in eternity./ Prepared by Albert Vataj
Happening now...
83 mandates are not immunity for Rama's friends
Nga Gentian Gaba
ideas
top
Alfa recipes
TRENDING 
services
- POLICE129
- STREET POLICE126
- AMBULANCE112
- FIREFIGHTER128