Donatello's "David"

Donatello's sculpture of "David" is, to say the least, a very interesting conversation piece. It is a rendition far from what other sculptors such as Michelangelo and Gianlorenzo Bernini chose to depict many years later. It certainly brings about a different kind of aesthetic, but is not without some controversy.

Donatello sculpted "David" out of bronze during the mid 1400's, around the same time that the Medici palace in Italy was being built. It was because of this coincidence, and historical descriptions of the location of the "David", that the patron of this statue was deemed to be the Medics, a powerful and rich ruling family situated in Florence.

Looking at the bronze figure and the renditions brought to life by Michelangelo and Bernini side by side, one can note the striking differences between Donatello's and the others. Donatello's "David" features a youthful, naive, delicate, even daintily-figured boy, features associated with femininity. Some people even regard this piece as being homoerotic. The other sculptures represent David as a muscular, older, and experienced man, basically features associated with masculinity. This is where a heated discussion arises in respect to Donatello's rendition.

Taking a closer look at the bronze sculpture, one can notice features that were traditionally associated with sculptures of women: the contrapposto stance, the positioning of his wrist against his hip, the shape of his stomach and the large size of his buttocks. Some of its characteristics can be attributed to ancient Greek and Roman art, but its effeminate qualities cannot easily be overlooked. The absence of clothing other than his headgear and footwear is also somewhat bizarre, as it does not make any sense. Looking at the "David" from a modern-day point of view would definitely render it somewhat erotic. If one concentrates on what David is standing on, one can tell it is the head and helmet of the just decapitated Goliath. The helmet features two long wings, one of which seems like it is working itself up towards David's groin.

Some scholars conclude that Donatello was in fact a homosexual who had several romantic liaisons with his young, male apprentices, and used "David" as a way to express his sexuality through his artwork. But one has to look at the time period and place that "David" is from: 15th century Italy, when homosexuality was illegal and punishable by law. And the fact that this was displayed in not only the courtyard of the Medici palace but also the Vecchio palace after the Medicis were exiled from Florence does not support the argument. A safer assumption (for Donatello) would be that he was either emphasizing homosocial values, the importance of relationships between men, or simply that Donatello was exercising artistic freedom, and creating something that was not seen before in this time period.


~ Chase Melgarejo