Donatello's bronze statue of David (circa 1440s) is notable as the first unsupported standing work in bronze cast since classical times. It created a sensation when it was first shown, due to its portrayal of the nude young male. It depicts the young David with an enigmatic smile, posed with his foot on Goliath's severed head just after killing the giant. The youth is standing naked, apart from a laurel-topped hat and boots, bearing the sword of Goliath. Jump to: navigation, search Statue of Donatello at the Uffizi Donatello (Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi) (1386 - December 13, 1466) was a famous Florentine artist and sculptor of the Early Renaissance. ... Bronze is the most popular metal for cast metal sculptures; a cast-metal sculpture of bronze is often called a bronze. ... Jump to: navigation, search Michelangelos David. ... Jump to: navigation, search For alternative meanings, see number 1440. ... Bronze figurine, found at Öland Bronze is the traditional name for a broad range of alloys of copper. ... Jump to: navigation, search It has been suggested that Greco-Roman be merged into this article or section. ... Jump to: navigation, search Nudity or nakedness is the state of wearing no clothing. ... In the Abrahamic religions, Goliath (גָּלְיָת Passage; revolution, Standard Hebrew Golyat, Tiberian Hebrew Golyāṯ) was a Philistine warrior that lived in the 11th century BCE. He hailed from Gath, one of five ancient city states in Philistia. ... Some trees and shrubs in the laurel family Lauraceae are called Laurel: Bay laurel Laurus nobilis, the original true laurel that is the source of bay leaves used as a seasoning. ...

Plaster copy of Donatello's David
(sword broken off)
Victoria and Albert Museum, London

The exact date of creation is unknown, but widely disputed, and dates vary between 1430 and the more accepted 1440s.¹. Donatello had made a marble statue of David in 1408/1409, though this figure was a well-dressed and victorious king holding his sling, having not yet slain the giant. The bronze version's effeminate physique, which Mary McCarthy called "a transvestite's and fetishist's dream," establishes David as the beloved of Jonathan. This physical frailty contrasted with the absurdly large sword by his side shows that David has conquered Goliath not by physical prowess, but through the will of God. The boy's nakedness further enhances the idea of the presence of God, constrasting the youth with the heavily-armoured giant. Jump to: navigation, search Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1000x2060, 270 KB) Painted plaster replica of Donatellos bronze David in the Cast Courts of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. ... Jump to: navigation, search Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1000x2060, 270 KB) Painted plaster replica of Donatellos bronze David in the Cast Courts of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. ... Jump to: navigation, search The Cromwell Road entrance to the Victoria and Albert Museum The Victoria and Albert Museum viewed from Thurloe Square The main interior courtyard of the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2004. ... London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ... Events December 13 - The Order of the Dragon is officially formated under King Sigismund of Hungary. ... Events January 1 - The Welsh surrender Harlech Castle to the English. ... Jump to: navigation, search A sling is a projectile weapon typically used to throw a blunt missile such as a stone, it is also known as the shepherds sling to distinguish it from other meanings. ... Mary McCarthy Mary Therese McCarthy (June 21, 1912 - October 25, 1989) was an American author and critic. ... Jump to: navigation, search Jonathan (יְהוֹנָתָן / יוֹנָתָן Whom the LORD gave, Standard Hebrew Yonatan/YÉ™honatan, Tiberian Hebrew YÉ™hônāṯān) was a prince of the Kingdom of Israel, son of King Saul, and beloved of the subsequent King David (see Jonathan and David). ... Jump to: navigation, search The term God is capitalized in the English language as a proper noun when used to refer to a specific monotheistic concept of a supernatural Supreme Being in accordance with Christian, Jewish (sometimes as G-d - cf. ... Jump to: navigation, search A hoplite wearing (only) a helmet, breastplate greaves and a shield. ...

The statue originally belonged to Cosimo de' Medici, and was placed in the courtyard of the Palazzo Medici in Florence. After the expulsion of Piero de' Medici, it was confiscated, and ordered placed in the courtyard of the Palazzo della Signoria. It is now in the Bargello. There is a full-size plaster cast (with broken sword) in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Jacopo Pontormo: Cosimo de Medici, 1518-1519 Cosimo di Giovanni de Medici (September 27, 1389, Florence – August 1, 1464, Careggi), was the first of the Medici political dynasty, rulers of Florence during most of the Italian Renaissance; also known as Cosimo the Elder and Cosimo Pater Patriae. ... Palazzo Medici is a Renaissance palace located at Florence, it was designed by Michelozzo di Bartolomeo and was built during 1444-60. ... Jump to: navigation, search Founded 59 BC as Florentia Region Tuscany Mayor Leonardo Domenici (Democratici di Sinistra) Area  - City Proper  102 km² Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density (city proper) 356,000 almost 500,000 3,453/km² Time zone CET, UTC+1 Latitude Longitude 43°47 N 11°15 E... Piero de Medici (the Unfortunate) (February 15, 1471 – December 28, 1503), the untalented, arrogant and undisciplined oldest son of Lorenzo de Medici (the Magnificent), and brother of Pope Leo X. Shortly after he took over as leader of Florence in 1492, Charles VIII of France entered Italy in 1494 with... Palazzo della Signoria Palazzo della Signoria was the original name of the Palazzo Vecchio, before the government of the Republic of Florence was moved to the Uffizi under Cosimo I de Medici. ... Jump to: navigation, search A plaster copy of Donatellos David, one of the most famous statues in the Bargello For the type of embroidery, please visit Bargello (needlework) The Bargello palace was built in 1255 to house the Florence City Council. ... This page describe terms and jargon related to sculpture and sculpting. ... Jump to: navigation, search The Cromwell Road entrance to the Victoria and Albert Museum The Victoria and Albert Museum viewed from Thurloe Square The main interior courtyard of the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2004. ... London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ...

Other subsequent noted Italian statues of David are by Andrea del Verrochio, Michelangelo, and Bernini. Jump to: navigation, search Michelangelo (full name Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni) (March 6, 1475 - February 18, 1564) was a Renaissance sculptor, architect, painter, and poet. ... A self portrait: Bernini is said to have used his own features in the David (below, left) Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini) (December 7, 1598 - November 28, 1680), who worked chiefly in Rome, was the pre-eminent baroque artist. ...

Notes

1. Greenhalgh, M., Donatello and His Sources, London, Duckworth, 1982, p. 166

External links: images of David

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Donatello's David

• Full-length view
• Front and rarer back view
• Two more angles
• Detail of face
• Site with numerous image links (NB: also includes links to erotic material)