Michelangelo’s colossal statue of David is one of the most famous artworks in the world. Discover with us the history of a masterpiece.
The marble statue of David stands in the Galleria dell’Accademia; it still astonishes its visitors for its perfection and impressive beauty. When it was unveiled on September 8th, 1504, it was immediately hailed as a masterpiece and established Michelangelo’s reputation.
In the Accademia Gallery you can discover the history of Michelangelo’s David but you can also enjoy, as a majestic prelude to the contemplation of the masterpiece, the four “Prisoners” that the master started to sculpt in Rome for the tomb of Pope Julius II but left unfinished, along with the also incomplete statue of Saint Mathew.
The tour continues by walking to the Duomo Square
It was actually the Vestry Board of Florence Cathedral that assigned Michelangelo the task of carving a “Giant” from a large block of marble to be located on a buttress in the apsidal section of the church.
The visit ends in Piazza della Signoria
The political centre of Florence, an open air museum of sculptures. When the sculpture was completed in 1504, a commission made up of artists was invited to decide the best location for David.
Among the members of the committee were artists like Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Andrea della Robbia, and Cosimo Rosselli. It was decided to display the statue in front of the entrance of Palazzo Della Signoria, where it now stands a replica.
