Michelangelo:David

Michelangelo's David is a marble statue carved in Florence between 1501 and 1504, representing the biblical hero before his confrontation with Goliath. The sling, turned head and concentrated expression suggest preparation rather than completed victory. Michelangelo worked from a large block that earlier sculptors had already begun and abandoned. Originally intended for Florence Cathedral, the statue was instead placed outside Palazzo Vecchio, where it became a symbol of the city's strength and independence. Its balanced stance contrasts a straight, weight-bearing right leg with a relaxed left leg. The original is preserved in Florence's Galleria dell'Accademia, allowing close study of its anatomy and carved surfaces.