The Renaissance

The Renaissance

Two of the greatest masterpieces done by two masters of art during the Renaissance period tell a Biblical account of David against Goliath . In comparison , Donatello 's and Michelangelo 's statues of David show evident similarities . They were both done during the Renaissance period although separated by half a century . Donatello finished his David during the early Renaissance (about 1440 ) and was considered the most famous sculpture in the 15th century . It was admired for being the first free-standing nude figure at that time . Cosimo de Medici commissioned it

to be the centerpiece of the old Palazzo Medici courtyard . Fifty years later , Michelangelo made his own rendition of the statue in 1501-1504 during the High Renaissance . It is regarded as the most famous statue of all time . Michelangelo was commissioned by Arte della Lana (Guild of Wool Merchant ) to make the statue . Both Davids are naked or nude and their genitals are exposed , characteristics of Renaissance art . The nudity is apparently in accordance with I Samuel 17 :38-39 which stated that Saul provided David with armor , but could not walk with it so he took it off . Others interpreted it as the display of humility against the arrogance of Goliath . Both figures pose contrapposto or counterpoise , a stance of a sculpture wherein the shoulders and arms are turned in different direction from the hips and legs so that most of its weight rests in one foot , giving it more dynamic and relaxed appearance . Donatello and Michelangelo were deemed...