Monday 31 December 2012

Donatello's David

Fond though I am of Psyché's bottom, I've decided it's time to replace William-Adolphe Bouguereau's L'Amour et Psyché (1899) in my sidebar. I've chosen Donatello's David (c.1440) partly because of its historic importance, but also because the Victoria & Albert Museum owns a plaster cast of the original bronze statue, which is in the Museo Nazionale del Bargello (CLICK). Donatello's bronze statue of David was the first unsupported standing work of bronze cast during the Renaissance and the first freestanding nude male sculpture made since antiquity. It marks the start of a trend away from sculptures of Christian saints to those of Greco-Roman gods. Donatello's David could easily be mistaken for a camp version of Hermes, messenger of the gods. The two other great Davids of the Renaissance are by Verrocchio and Michelangelo (CLICK). The Davids by Donatello and Verrocchio were both commissioned by the powerful Medici banking family.

2 Comments:

At 23/1/13, Blogger Unknown said...

I must say a fab choice of image! Just found this blog and will definitely be reading from now on, it will help with my learn something new a day resolution. http://articulatelondon.blogspot.co.uk/

 
At 24/1/13, Blogger Unknown said...

Hi, Rebecca

Glad you like the blog, as well as Donatello's David. Everyone knows about Michelangelo's David, but Donatello's David and Verrocchio's David tend to be forgotten. Did you know that the model for Verrocchio's David is thought to have be been the young Leonardo da Vinci when he was apprenticed to Verrocchio?

 

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