MICHELANGELO di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni
Biography
David/Apollo
1530
Marble, height: 146 cm
Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
The statue was commissioned by the hated Papal
Governor of Florence, Baccio Valori. Michelangelo used a pragmatic and
political approach. This figure has had its double name for a long time,
since it was not certain whether it was a representation of the Old Testament
hero David or the Greek God of Art, Apollo. But in the round rock under
the youth's foot one can probably recognize the head of Goliath: so once
again Michelangelo has created a David. There is a blatant difference between
this figure and the one which in 1504 rose to the position of the most
powerful symbol of the Republic. In the place of Strength and Wrath, we
have Melancholy, almost Regret. The victorious hero no longer celebrates
his triumph; the blood that has been shed seems to have shown him the meaning
of his actions and of its consequences. Michelangelo could not have admonished
Baccio Valori in a deeper, more meaningful and yet more respectful way.
[Back] [Search]
[Alphabetical Index] [Artist
Index] [Welcome Page]
Mail your comments by clicking
here
