The Bronze David By Donatello Of The Early Renaissance

The Bronze David by Donatello of the Early Renaissance shows a subtle transition through style and form to the High Renaissance when compared to the marble David by Michelangelo. Yet a similar Renaissance interpretation of the character of David is seen in both pieces. Donatello’s David embodies the humanism and classicism of the Italian Renaissance, and pioneers styles that would influence a generation. The perfection of David by Michelangelo creates a similar allusion to humanism and classical form while indicating Donatello’s lasting influence and inserting neoplatonic ideas of the High Renaissance. Through his Bronze David, 1430, Donatello documents a biblical character in a form that captures the ideals of the Italian Renaissance. The five foot and two inch piece recreates the moment after the human hero David slays Goliath whose head lies at his feet. The structure, Figure 1, not only celebrates the use of human wit and potential, but David’s nudity emphas izes the human body’s physical grace. In addition, the figure’s bareness is accentuated by the calf length boots and large hat. The use of the free standing style allows the human form to be appreciated at every angle. This quintessential instance of human heroism is documented by the artist and articulated by the sculpture with an air of nonchalance. The poetic and heroic indifference and self-satisfaction expressed in Donatello’s David is classified as sprezzatura. Sprezzatura is the idyllic attitude of a humanShow MoreRelatedSculpture and Donatello1480 Words   |  6 Pages#9; Donatello (1386-1466) was a master of sculpture in bronze and marble and was considered one of the greatest Italian Renaissance artists of his time. There is much more to know about him, though then the name alone. 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