David by Michelangelo Buonarroti

I cannot remember a time when I didn't want to see Michelangelo's David in person.  Some thirty or more years ago, one of my dearest New Trier friends, Dave Currie, took a trip to Italy with his wife Peggy.  "Just bring me a picture of David," I asked Dave (who was not only a teacher, but a professional photographer).  He took the picture for me.  I tacked the photograph to the bulletin board in my office...and dreamed.

David lives in Florence.  This morning we went to his house, the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze.  We left early because there are always many visitors to The Accademia.  It was raining.  At first the sky was dark gray and the rain came down softly.  As we stood in line, the rain fell in earnest and had it not been for our museum passes (such a great planner, Pam), we would have been in line much longer than 20 minutes.  I was feeling anxious and wondering what it would be like when I finally saw David.

In the first room we entered there were several, mostly unfinished or roughly cut sculptures hewn by Michelangelo.  I looked first at one and then another.  I turned and looked down the length of the room and there he was...standing under a domed skylight.  Pam was at my side and slowly we walked forward toward the crowd around David's pedestal.  I don't know when I started to cry, but as I walked tears streamed down my face.  He is more beautiful than I ever imagined.

This is a giant among men.  He was carved and lovingly brought to life from a block of white marble by a man who loved men.  This man, Michelangelo, who intimately knew and revered the bodies of men crafted a living icon for the ages--David, the shepherd who slew Goliath

The story of David and Goliath is told in Book 1 Samuel. Saul and the Israelites are facing the Philistines near the Valley of Elah. Twice a day for 40 days, Goliath, the champion of the Philistines, comes out between the lines and challenges the Israelites to send out a champion of their own to decide the outcome in single combat. Only David, a young shepherd, accepts the challenge. Saul reluctantly agrees and offers his armor, which David declines since it is too large, taking only his sling and five stones from a brook. David and Goliath confront each other, Goliath with his armor and shield, David armed only with his rock, his sling, his faith in God and his courage. David hurls a stone from his sling with all his might and hits Goliath in the center of his forehead: Goliath falls on his face to the ground, and David then cuts off his head.  It is at this moment, David triumphant, standing above Goliath's severed head that most artists have chosen to represent David.

Michelangelo, for the first time ever, chooses to depict David before the battle. David is tense: Michelangelo catches him at the apex of his concentration. He stands relaxed, but alert, resting on a classical pose known as contrapposto. The figure stands with one leg holding its full weight and the other leg forward, causing the figure’s hips and shoulders to rest at opposing angles, giving a slight s-curve to the entire torso.

“For in it may be seen most beautiful contours of legs, with attachments of limbs and slender outlines of flanks that are divine; nor has there ever been seen a pose so easy, or any grace to equal that in this work, or feet, hands and head so well in accord, one member with another, in harmony, design, and excellence of artistry”.
 (Giorgio Vasari, from his “Lives of the most excellent painters, sculptors and architects”).

Yes, I have looked to many sources to put this David, my David of today in Florence before you.  And yes, this is the same David who became King of the Jews and is human ancester to Jesus of Nazareth.

So here is Michelangelo's David as we viewed him today.  Both Pam and I were entranced and tried to take in every detail of this magnificent work.

 My first view from across the room.

And a last look back as we left.

There were many other beautiful things we saw today, but I wanted to give my heart a chance to run with the awe we both have for Michelangelo and his David, our David--for the ages.

More later.  I hope you have enjoyed your time with David too.  Ciao.

Bonnie & Pam