Donatello vs. Michelangelo

Sejae Burey

Debbie Graham

Interdisciplinary Arts HU 2301-Online

Victory University

Week Four

 

Donatello vs. Michelangelo

            David, Biblical character was artistically represented in sculpture by two great artists of their time, Donatello and Michelangelo. Both created sculptures of David that served as symbols of Florentine liberty.

However, Donatello used bronze to fashion his David, while Michelangelo used marble. Both capture David’s success and strength in the subjects as Donatello’s David reinvented classical nude and David stands atop the dismembered head of Goliath. On the other hand, Michelangelo’s David shows David before the encounter with Goliath as he is infused with tension sternly watching his approaching foe. Michelangelo’s David is emotionally and compositionally connected to an unseen presence beyond it and demonstrates pent up emotion and not calm, ideal beauty as Donatello’s. Donatello’s David is relaxed classical contrapposto in its stance.  Donatello’s David portrays humanistic style while Michelangelo employs antique Renaissance style.

 

Despite their differences in presentation and style both are exquisite statues and pieces of art that appropriately convey their subject while standing as physical representation of their creators’ excellence, skill, influence and remarkable talents.

Works Cited

 

Kleiner, Fred S. Gardener’s Art through the Ages:A Concise Western History third edition. Boston: Wadsworth, 2014. Print.