Week 8 Post #7

Option #1

Bernini's "David"

vs

Michelangelo's "David"

For this blog, I decided to choose option 1 of the two given; because I find Michelangelo's "David" to be lovely, and I was curious to go into more visual details when comparing it to another version of "David". Even just looking at these two statues side by side with no idea of art and how art history works, its easy to tell the differences. These are two entirely different statues taking a view of David and interpreting it how they feel it should be interpreted. However there are other reasons why these statues are more similar and different in art history terms rather than citizen terms. 

To begin with, Bernini's "David" is depicted as being in action. He literally looks as if he is about to leap into battle with his sling and rock. His face isn't idealized with a serene look such as in Michelangelo's "David" but instead is contorted into a fierce grimace reflecting his inner battle as well as facing the battle before him. The lines created in this statue are very diagonal, and dynamic. It's using the contrapose to its thinnest definition, since it almost seems as if he is about to fall into us off of his little ledge. I also find it interesting that Bernini used himself as the figure for the battling "David" instead of doing it from an idealized depiction of what Bernini thought "David" should have looked like. In this way, we get a more accurate and relate-able image that welcomes us to imagine what David was really like instead of having his name seem unreal with an accomplishment available to normal everyday men and women. I also find his piece of fabric humorous and love how it "accidentally" fell over his nudity. Thus preserving his modesty while in the heat of battle. His body is very naturalistic as well, his muscles aren't perfect, and he seems like an ordinary man with his appearance.

In comparison, Michelangelo's "David" has no clothing on or really any way to hide the fact that he is nude. Not only is the figure nude, but he is in incredibly good shape. Even now this statue is seen as the most perfect male figure, and may of even had men striving to look like him in the time it came out. Unlike Bernini's "David", Michelangelo's "David" is standing very still with a contrapose as he views something off in the distance with a strange expression. From the side, his expression seems at peace with what is about to happen, or really you wouldn't expect him to be looking at a giant, as the Bible story suggests. He almost appears as if before the battle he stood and posed in a fashion that seems almost egotistical.  I believe also that the more important thing on Michelangelo's mind with this one was humanism while naturalism was on Bernini's mind with his version. 


They both depict a very strong man, standing up for what he believes in. Even though these two statues are obviously different, their base historical pretext is the same. A young man stands up against a giant for what he believes in, and with the strength and power of God, overcomes his foe and saves his people. Both statues emit a feeling of grandeur and suggest that the person depicted was a very important figure.