Clothing Michelangelo’s David: Sculpture as Political Power

Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) was in his early twenties when he was commissioned to create a statue representing the Biblical hero, David.  He was offered a colossal block of marble which had previously been worked by two other artists and abandoned.  Michelangelo accepted the challenge and created one of the greatest masterpieces in the history of Western art. But Michelangelo’s David is unlike other depictions of this Biblical hero. What is different about Michelangelo’s depiction of David?

Since the statue of David was first installed in the Piazza della Signoria outside the Palazzo Vecchio (town hall), the statue has not been without controversy. Over the centuries, the reputation of the artist as the “Divine Michelangelo” has clouded the true meaning of his work, most notably the David. So, what does this statue really mean?  To whom was it addressed? Is this David really who we think he is?

Come join Circle of Friends and learn about the backstory of this brilliant and controversial masterpiece.

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