Donatello's David Analysis

In the early 1440’s, the Medici family commissioned Donatello to sculpt what would become one of the greatest sculptures of the 15th century. Donatello’s David is depicted as a youthful David, which is complete opposite of how David was depicted in that time period. In the Middle Ages David was depicted as a King. In the sculpture David is in the nude, one foot on Goliaths severed head, which tells us it was after he took down the god-like goliath. Donatello’s David is considered a master piece of Western art, because of the way it relates to the classical past, yet it fits in perfectly with the Renaissance time period.

Donatello went completely back to the classical style when he sculpted David. It was the first nude sculpture in over a

thousand years. In the classical time period the artists would depict the Gods and heroes in the nude, so maybe Donatello was trying to express a sense of heroic nudity with David. Also David is in a contrapposto pose, when a figure is standing with most of its weight on one foot, which was widely used in the classical period and hadn’t been seen since. Also, it was the first bronze sculpture in the round, a free-standing sculpture meant to be seen from all sides, in western art. This style was extremely popular in the classical time period.
David by Donatello is considered a master piece of western art for many of reasons. I believe it is considered a master piece of western art is because it was the first of its kind in that time period. It was the first time an artist did any work that was related to the classical time period. It was the first bronze freestanding stature in the western world of art. The piece also fit perfectly with the time period it was done.
The Renaissance was a time for rebirth, rediscovering, and learning. David reflects the time period of the Renaissance when people wanted to bring back the ideas of the classics. David’s contrapposto stance fits perfectly with the renaissance style of capturing the way people looked and acted. People of the Renaissance time period started standing up for what they believed in and what they wanted. They really started discovering what they truly wanted. David reflects that sense of self-discovery. Also, since Donatello depicted David as a kid and not a king, it brought this idea that even a man can defeat something a big a god-like Goliath. That spirit reflects the spirit of the Renaissance time period.
Donatello’s David is one of the greatest sculptures in the 15th Century. It was revolutionary for the way it related to the classical past, but also stylistically and historically fit in the Renaissance time period. It paved the way for many artists to come, including Michelangelo and Bernini.