David, Florence's Original Magic Mike

A Copy of The David In Front Of The Palazzo Vecchio

    Have you ever stood before something so amazing that it simply takes your breath away?  This happened to me the first time I beheld Michelangelo's David. I had herd over and over again how magnificent this masterpiece was, but until I actually saw this 17 foot behemoth with my own eyes, I had no idea how truly incredible it is.

     Michelangelo was commissioned to create The David in 1504 as part of the Duomo's exterior statuary, but it turned out to be so much more.  As you look at the vibrant, white, Carrara marble, you cannot help but see Michelangelo's genius at work.  The statue is not just a realistic nude, but a representation of Renaissance man.  His face says it all, "he's got this!"  David is not afraid of what is to come, fighting the giant Goliath, because he knows that God is on his side.  You might notice that David's right hand is out of proportion with the rest of his body.  Michelangelo did this purposefully, to show that David was imbued with God's blessing.  This eternal optimism and the ability to triumph over any obstacle was a recurrent theme throughout the Renaissance, and Michelangelo has imbued The David with it in earnest.

     This amazing statue now resides in The Accademia alongside several of Michelangelo's "Prisoners" or unfinished works.  Originally, it stood in front of the Palazzo Vecchio or town hall for over 350 years, until it was finally moved to a more fitting locale.  The backdrop, under a Renaissance style dome is truly a fitting place for this magnificent masterpiece to be showcased in.  So the next time you are in Florence, brave the enormous crowds and see this truly spectacular work of art for yourself.  I promise you will be humbled and mesmerized by it.

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