What do you observe?

[Heather]

In one of my Humanities classes we had the opportunity to study some of the art in Europe. One of our assignments was to compare and contrast Michelangelo's David with Donatello's David. It was very interesting, enlightening, and required hours of focus and concentration. I'm going to make it a bit more difficult and add Bernini in the mix.

What do you observe?



Bernini -- Michelangelo -- Donatello (above sequentially)



Donatello--Michelangelo--Bernini (above sequentially)



Bernini David (above)



Michelangelo David (above)



Donatello David

[Ruth]

Funny. I wrote a paper on that very subject when taking Art History as an undergrad.

[Geoffrey]

Immediately what comes to mind is that the Bernini statute is a pose in an active mode, the M. piece is langourous and Donatello's is authoritative. I would go further but I can't expand the images.

[Heather]

I think, going a little bit on what you were saying, Geoffrey, Michelangelo's is before the fight, he is pensive, contemplating. Then Bernini's is the action with tremendous concentration. In the moment. And Donatello's is afterward. His satisfaction seems obvious in his pose and facial expression.

[Heather]

BTW, I tried to make the image larger. I will try again, hope this works!

Sorry, I did the best I could, but added a few more, hopefully giving us a bit more of the 'whole' picture. Hope it helps!

[Heather]

Ruth, that is interesting. It was my favorite assignment.

[Heather]

I found a youtube video comparing the three Davids but unfortunately it's in Italian, so if you understand it...
(it's actually very interesting)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssZ-m...

[Heather]

I'm glad, Luis!