In this essay, I’m going to compare and contrast sculptures of a biblical hero character found in the old testament; David. David was one of the most anointed man of God found in the bible. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why there are so many different versions of David, that a lot of artists from different periods depicts many different story of Davit’s life. David become the King of Israel after Saul stepped down. His name become well known as the King of Israel.
Not to mention, he was first acknowledge when he win against Giant Goliath with only a stick and a few tones on his hands. He called upon God’s name and took his first shot which goes straight into Goliath head and killed him. The first David that I’m going to talk about is David in the period of High Renaissance done by Michelangelo Bonaparte. Michelangelo was one of the greatest sculptor of all time. As his work David become one of the most famous masterpiece that he has done, which has been admired by a lot of people even until now.
It was made between the year 1501-1504 by Michelangelo when he was only 24. He was given a giant slab of marble that other sculptor had disregard years before. No one has never expected that it turns out to be one of the greatest art work in the history. The statue was made on the city of Florence and was originally located at Piazza Della Signora. It is then moved to prevent breakage from time and weather. The statue is now resides in the Gallery of the Academia did Belle Art’. Michelangelo choose one of the most famous story of David, facing a nine foot, bronze armored Philistine; Giant Goliath.
He depicts the moment before the fight where David is waiting for the Goliath approach. He stands calmly in a classical contrasts pose yet Novitiate Selling Japer 3241224 attentively as we can see clearly from his expression. His head is turned, followed by his furrowed eye brow translate clearly to the viewer that he is in the moment of battle, even though the viewer cannot see the Goliath presence. Michelangelo portray David as a strong, heroic, nude male, almost have a similar characteristic to Hellenic period type of art.
Michelangelo represented David as a strong and healthy man both physically and mentally condition, symbolize a Napoleonic Ideal. It was the first nude male figure sculpted since classical antiquity. He believe that reapportions and expressions represents a typical of Michelangelo work. It depicts self control as well as tension at the same time. As from what I have described, Michelangelo David somewhat characterize and symbolize perfectly on Florentine feeling. During that time, Florence was going through some difficult time.
Because they were a major political force in Italy at that time, Florence was feared that they will dominate against Rome. The city then becomes alert and ready to face continual threats. David represented as a heroic male model of courage. David delivers a strong message of his inner spiritual trench which can proved that they are more effective than a man’s strength. He showed us that his faith in God has saved him, not because his own strength but it is all by God (“The Lord is my strength and my shield. ). Florentine picturing themselves as David fighting against the Giant “Roman”. The statue representing their feelings become the civic piece of the City of Florence which represents the Florentine pride. The next David that I’m going to discuss is David in the period of Italian Baroque done by Giant Lorenz Bernie. It was done between 1623 to 1624, sculpted by Bernie at the age of 25. Just eke Michelangelo, Bernie is an artist who worked in a variety of mediums, but sculpting is his passion.
Not Just that, both artists sculpted the same biblical hero David on his fight against Giant Goliath. Looking at the two Davis, both artists visualized different moment and feeling into their sculpture, even though it comes from the same story. Michelangelo gives a story before the Giant Goliath approached, while Bernie captures right on the moment of battle, a man of dynamic mid-action. He represents David on his maximum torque, his torso is twisted at the very back ready to release his stone, making him to a goanna postures that fills with energy.
The sculpture has the characteristics of Italian Baroque art, they are dynamic in composition, theatrical setting, full of motions and emotions. Almost like a typical of Hellenic sculpture. The energy and drama that the artist show doesn’t only come from the gestures but it pictured clearly on Davit’s expressions as well. He is pushing his eye brow together depicts such a great determination, and concentration. The way he is biting his lips also create a great tension to the scene. The whole physical movement and gestures is known as Baroque moment, a time when the action has been captured in mid-narration.
Looking from the gestures and all the motions that David presented it is somewhat telling the viewer the emotional that relates to the battle between churches. As during the 1 517 there was a shifting of Catholic teaching known as Protestant Reformation under the leadership of Martin Luther. He was displeased with the Catholic churches as well as the leaders and their life style. As a result he break away from the former Catholic churches and established a new Christianity known as and Protestant. Many of the Catholics began to follow Luther and become Protestant.
During the mid 16th century throughout 17th century, the Catholics began to acts theological campaign lead by the Pope in Rome, known as the Catholic Counter Reformation. The goal is to inspire the population with the work of art and architecture and pursued them to stay faithful with Catholic church and bring them back. The David by Bernie perhaps telling the viewer the way the Catholic churches felt as they were battling against Luther to win people back. In conclusion, both artists specialized their talent on sculpting even though they do work with other hypes of medium.
They depicts the same story from the bible of David fighting against Goliath. Michelangelo tells a story of David waiting for Goliath approach in a calm standing contrasts pose yet aware of his surrounding. This over 14 feet statue stand as a civic pride representing Florentine pride. While Bering’s David captures the Baroque moment of Davit’s mid action unleashing his slingshot. The sculptures bring so much motion and energy compare to Michelangelo David.
