Why Did Michelangelo Make His David Probably as Tall as His Enemy Giant Goliath?
Introduction:
The iconic statue of David by Michelangelo is widely admired for its grandeur and Michelangelo's artistic brilliance. However, did you know that the height of David may have been influenced by the very enemy against whom he is popularly depicted as a warrior?
The curious height of David has always captivated viewers. The question often arises: why did Michelangelo make his David probably as tall as his enemy giant Goliath? Simply put, it was the size of the marble block he started with, a block left decades after its initial abandoned attempt to sculpt its intended figure.
The Original Block of Marble
The piece of marble Michelangelo worked on was no ordinary sculpture stone. It was left outdoors as worthless for decades, only to be rediscovered and eventually chosen for Michelangelo's unparalleled sculptures.
Di Duccio, the original sculptor, roughed out parts of the block, particularly around the legs, before abandoning it. Subsequent attempts by other sculptors to finish the block met with failure, leaving the stone as a testament to its perceived worthlessness.
Michelangelo's Craftsmanship and the Block
Michelangelo was tasked with completing what no one else could. He made a conscious effort to showcase his skills in using the entire height of the block. An extraordinary testament to this was his decision to leave the top of the block, which would have been the head of David, rough and unfinished. This act demonstrated that none of the stone had been trimmed, adding to the enormity of the task he undertook.
The Final Piece and Its Reception
Michelangelo’s decision to use the entire height of the block paid off, with the finished piece exceeding expectations. A commission was soon drawn up, involving notable artists like Da Vinci and Botticelli, to find a more suitable location for David. Giorgio Vasari, the respected art historian, documented the event, praising Michelangelo's work.
Eventually, the statue was placed in the plaza of the Palazzo Vecchio, a decision influenced by the size and visual impact of the statue. However, this change in location introduced a new challenge: when seen from a lower angle, the perspective of the body was distorted. This challenge required Michelangelo to use a technique called foreshortening to create the illusion of perfect perspective, especially important for a sculpture-looking up to a roof.
The finished statue stands at a height that can be viewed from a distance, making its body parts appear larger or smaller depending on the angle of observation. This foreshortening technique helped balance the optical illusion of the statue when viewed from different angles.
Conclusion
The height of Michelangelo's David was not just an artistic choice but a practical necessity determined by the size of the marble block. This height, seemingly matching that of the biblical giant Goliath, further underscores the monumental scale and the challenges faced by the artist.
Extended Reading and References
For further insight into Michelangelo and his other works, visit this detailed study of the statue and related artworks.