Contrast the statues of David created during the Renaissance by Donatello and Verrocchio with the Baroque David created by Gianlorenzo Bernini. What makes these statues different?

Question

Bernini’s piece implies the presence of someone else.
Bernini’s David doesn’t portray any pivotal moments in history.
The Renaissance statues show a great deal of action.
Donatello and Verrocchio focus on the representation of drama over beauty.

Answer 1

In general, the statues of David created during the Renaissance by Donatello and Verrocchio focus on capturing a moment of intense action and drama. Donatello's David, for example, shows a young and triumphant David standing over the decapitated head of Goliath, exuding confidence and strength. Verrocchio's David, on the other hand, portrays a more youthful and slender figure, caught in the moment just before the battle with Goliath, demonstrating a sense of tension and anticipation.

In contrast, Gianlorenzo Bernini's Baroque David depicts a completely different approach. Bernini's David is depicted in a dynamic and twisting pose, as if caught in mid-action, with a slingshot in one hand and a rock in the other. However, unlike the Renaissance statues, Bernini's David is not solely focused on the moment of victory over Goliath. Instead, the statue implies the presence of someone else, as David looks out into the distance with a determined and focused expression. This adds a sense of narrative and theatricality to the statue, making it more dynamic and engaging for the viewer.

Additionally, while the Renaissance statues of David by Donatello and Verrocchio focus on capturing the drama and action of the biblical story, Bernini's Baroque David does not necessarily portray a specific historical moment. Instead, Bernini's statue emphasizes the emotion and psychological intensity of the scene, creating a more dynamic and expressive interpretation of the biblical story.

Overall, the statues of David created during the Renaissance by Donatello and Verrocchio prioritize action, drama, and the representation of pivotal moments in the biblical story, while Bernini's Baroque David focuses on emotion, psychological intensity, and the presence of a narrative beyond the immediate moment of victory.