King David Bernini
Interpretation
What can be seen in the artwork?
The sculpture shows us the biblical character, David, who slew Goliath. We can see David holding the sling which he will use to kill Goliath. Below David is his cuirass (medieval body armor that covers the chest and back) which was given to him by King Saul before the encounter with Goliath. Also present below him is a harp whose tip is shaped like that of an eagle, a symbolic reference to the Borghese family. Bernini conceived and carved his statue of David in seven months, a remarkable achievement in itself.
Looking deeper into the artwork:
One fact of Bernini's great genius should be pointed out. Almost all statues which preceded his stood self contained, insulated, apart from the spectator. . Bernini causes the viewer to become a part of his David statue. He who looks at this giant slayer senses Goliath standing behind and above his shoulder. The viewer is almost prompted to move from the path of the projectile. The space in front of the statue becomes a part of the concept. David stands above …show more content…
However, the sculptures are drastically different from one another. Each one is unique in its own certain way. Bernini emulated neither Donatello's triumphant boy victor nor Michaelangelo's posturing adolescent. His hero is full-grown and fully engaged-both physically and psychologically-as he takes aim and twists his tensed, muscular body a split second before slinging the stone, grasped in his left hand. David stands alone, but Goliath is simplicity envisioned directly behind the viewer. As a viewer, we are tempted to duck. It is the anticipation of violent action that heightens this confrontation as David's latent power is momentarily arrested. Art of the baroque era is characterized by an emphasis on movement and emotional
What can be seen in the artwork?
The sculpture shows us the biblical character, David, who slew Goliath. We can see David holding the sling which he will use to kill Goliath. Below David is his cuirass (medieval body armor that covers the chest and back) which was given to him by King Saul before the encounter with Goliath. Also present below him is a harp whose tip is shaped like that of an eagle, a symbolic reference to the Borghese family. Bernini conceived and carved his statue of David in seven months, a remarkable achievement in itself.
Looking deeper into the artwork:
One fact of Bernini's great genius should be pointed out. Almost all statues which preceded his stood self contained, insulated, apart from the spectator. . Bernini causes the viewer to become a part of his David statue. He who looks at this giant slayer senses Goliath standing behind and above his shoulder. The viewer is almost prompted to move from the path of the projectile. The space in front of the statue becomes a part of the concept. David stands above …show more content…
However, the sculptures are drastically different from one another. Each one is unique in its own certain way. Bernini emulated neither Donatello's triumphant boy victor nor Michaelangelo's posturing adolescent. His hero is full-grown and fully engaged-both physically and psychologically-as he takes aim and twists his tensed, muscular body a split second before slinging the stone, grasped in his left hand. David stands alone, but Goliath is simplicity envisioned directly behind the viewer. As a viewer, we are tempted to duck. It is the anticipation of violent action that heightens this confrontation as David's latent power is momentarily arrested. Art of the baroque era is characterized by an emphasis on movement and emotional