Observation deck of Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence. Best viewpoint in Florence: Piazzale Michelangelo. Accademia Gallery - Medici Chapels

In 1421-1428 Brunelleschi built a chapel on the side of the Temple of San Lorenzo (Medici Chapel) in Florence. It was supposed to become a crypt for the Medici house. Almost a hundred years later, Pope Leo X invited Michelangelo to complete its façade. Due to lack of money, work was stopped.

Florence, Church of San Lorenzo

The most ancient church in Florence - this is the temple of San Lorenzo. In 339 this cathedral consecrated by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. It was rebuilt during the Romanesque period and reconsecrated in 1059. In 1418, the Medici decided to completely rebuild it and entrusted it to Philip Brunelleschi. The inside of the temple is decorated with works by Donatello. The Chapel of the Princes became the tomb for all the Medici dukes of the second line of the family, starting with Cosimo I. It displays the wealth and power of the Medici.

It is filled with all the coats of arms of the cities of the Duchy of Tuscany and the Medici coat of arms on the ceiling. The magnificent interior was completed over almost two hundred years. The work was done very carefully. There must have been six dukes buried there. In reality, the huge sarcophagi are empty and serve only as funerary monuments. In fact, the Medici are buried in a crypt. Behind each sarcophagus there should have been sculptures of dukes. However, only two monuments exist - the statue of Ferdinand I and Cosimo II. The dome follows Brunelleschi's and is decorated with scenes from Scripture.

Crypt with burials. Chapel of the Princes

The entrance to the Medici Chapel will lead directly to the crypt. It is from here that you can go to the Chapel of the Princes and the New Sacristy. The crypt is dark and gloomy, which is natural for a tomb where most of the members of the Medici family were actually buried, including those who were supposed to rest in the chapel of the princes.

In the painting, a high-born lady sits in a majestic chair. This is Anna Maria Louise de' Medici, the last heiress of this family, who died in 1743. She left a huge artistic legacy to her native Florence.

For Michelangelo lovers

In 1520 it was necessary to build a chapel with tombs for Lorenzo the Magnificent and his brother Giuliano, as well as for two other sons of the Medici family: Giuliano, Duke of Nemours, and Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino. In addition, Cardinal Giulio, a cousin of Pope Leo X, wants to entrust Michelangelo with the construction of a library. It should house books belonging to the whole family, as well as those received from various courtiers and other famous book lovers. The Medici Chapel and the New Sacristy in it and the library are two important assignments for the 45-year-old master, who will have to deal with architecture for the first time.

The new sacristy is one of the architectural projects that the master brought to completion. It contains no less than seven sculptures of the Renaissance genius.

Getting started

Cardinal Giulio of the Medici family, elected pope under the name of Clement VII, summoned Michelangelo to Rome and gave firm instructions that the Medici Chapel should be completed immediately. He wants to be glorified throughout the centuries no less than Pope Leo X and his predecessors, who left a memory of themselves as patrons of architecture, sculpture and painting. It was necessary to immortalize the images not of the famous Medici who were in ancient times, but of those who established the monarchy in Florence. These were two young dukes who had not glorified themselves in any way. The New Sacristy in the Church of San Lorenzo (Medici Chapel) should form a single complex with the Old one, which was built by Brunelleschi.

Michelangelo conceived and then made it with more complex orders, cornices, capitals, doors, niches and tombs. He deviated from previously accepted rules and customs. The Medici Chapel, at the request of the pope, should no longer include the tombs of Lorenzo the Magnificent and his brother Giuliano. The tombs of Pope Leo X and his own should take pride of place. Wishing that no one else would take advantage of Michelangelo's genius, Clement VII invited the architect to become a monk and take monastic vows into the Order of St. Francis. When the artist refused, dad gave him a house. Next to it stood the Medici Chapel. The salary exceeded 3 times the amount that Michelangelo asked for.

Michelangelo in Florence

What did Michelangelo Buonarroti have to do? The Medici Chapel required the addition of a chapel. It was necessary to erect a ceiling vault, build a skylight and perform a number of equally labor-intensive works. And then you can think about the sculptures with which the sculptor intended to decorate the tombstones of Giuliano and Lorenzo de' Medici. This will require workers, and therefore money from Clement VII.

Designs for the Dukes' Sculptures

What feelings will the Medici Chapel evoke? Michelangelo, without deceiving himself, assumed that when the sculptures were completed, they would disappoint those who wanted to see the image of two descendants of the family. There will be no portrait resemblance in them. He wanted to create new people, born not only of their time, but also of his own new artistic tasks. In statues, movement should be conveyed by the balance of the pose, which seems to be frozen in the air. These will be two strong young men, filled with majestic calm.

Medici Chapel: description

In the Medici tomb, a person finds himself in a completely different world, not the one on the street. You are overcome by a feeling of melancholy and the impression that you are in the square. All around there are unfinished facades of houses, because the dark pilasters, platbands on rare windows, the windows themselves, and the light walls of this ensemble give an unsettling feeling of a medieval street and square. It is precisely this kind of space that includes a person in the rapidly flowing flow of time that Michelangelo created. The Master's Tomb is a reflection on the extent of variability, duration and brevity of existence, captured in the fusion of architecture and sculpture.

Madonna

In the Church of San Lorenzo (Medici Chapel), the New Sacristy looks like a free cube, which is topped with a vault. The architect placed niches in the walls with wall-mounted, significantly enlarged tombs. For them, he used life-size sculptural figures. Opposite the altar he placed sculptural group"Madonna and Child" and surrounded her with statues of St. Cosmas and Damian (patrons of the Medici).

They were made by his students based on his clay sketches. Madonna is the key to the entire chapel. She is beautiful and internally focused. Madonna's face is tilted towards the child. She is filled with sadness and sorrow. Madonna is immersed in deep, heavy thought. The folds of her clothing create a tense rhythmic action and connect her to the entire architectural form. The baby reaches out to her. It is also filled with internal dynamics and tension, which is consistent with the entire chapel. In the composition of the chapel, Madonna plays a very important role. It is to her that the figures of Giuliano and Lorenzo are turned.

Statues in niches

Without a hint of portrait resemblance, two allegorical figures sit in the armor of the ancient Romans. Courageous, energetic Giuliano, with his head uncovered, leans on the commander’s baton.

It symbolizes the peace that came after the war. effective life. While his brother Lorenzo is in deepest thought and symbolizes the contemplative life.

His head, covered with an antique helmet, rests on his hand, and with his elbow on a box, the animal face of which is symbolic. It signifies wisdom and business qualities. Both figures are tired and melancholic. The niches squeeze them together, which causes a feeling of anxiety and uneasiness in the viewer. They are going through a difficult time of wars and unrest and remember Lorenzo the Magnificent, the benefactor of Italy, under whom peace reigned.

Figures on the lids of sarcophagi

Sliding from the sloping lids of the tombs, barely holding on to them, lie sculptural allegories of morning and evening at the feet of Lorenzo and day and night - at Giuliano. The symbols of running time are painfully uncomfortable. Their powerful bodies with ideal proportions are materialized languor and sorrow. “Morning” slowly and reluctantly wakes up, “Day” is awake joylessly and anxiously, “Evening”, numb, falls asleep, “Night” is immersed in a heavy, restless sleep. What kind of bird is on the Medici Chapel? “Night” rests its foot on the owl, which, if it flies, will wake it up.

The stone she holds in her hand could fall out at any moment and also wake her up. There is no peace for “Night”. The mask in her hand, full of suffering, speaks about this.

The figure of “The Day” deserves attention because the inconsistency in the sculpting of the beautiful body and the head, which turns towards the viewer with difficulty, is surprising. The body is beautiful and polished, but the face is slightly visible, the image is barely outlined. “Day” contains traces of tools and is artistically under-designed. The figures of “Morning” and “Evening” are unfinished. This creates additional expressiveness, anxiety and threat. The sculptor was not afraid to go beyond his time, forcing the viewer to think through and interpret the sculptures in any way he wanted. Here in front of you is the face of the “Evening” (Medici Chapel). The photograph confirms the above.

The figures do not want to live or feel. All together, the times of day confirm the Medici motto “Always” (Semper), meaning constant service. Together with the figures of young people, the allegories are enclosed in a stable triangular composition.

"Crouching Boy"

The Medici Chapel and the heavy timelessness that engulfs a person in it had another sculpture, which is now in the Hermitage.

She is also called “The Boy Taking out the Splinter.” If you mentally return him to the chapel, it turns out that the infinity of time is combined with immediacy. This is a small statue that fits freely into the cube. It, like “Day,” is not completely finished: its bottom is not finished, and its back is not polished. The child was bent over towards his sore leg, his position was so unusual and unexpected. The sculptor sought to remove only what was absolutely necessary from the marble, so that if it fell from the pedestal, nothing would break off. The boy is important in the overall plan, for he is a moment within time. If Madonna is a historical, Christian time that united the people of that era, then the boy is its short duration. He is both a situation and a moment. The figures under the niches are in the same cycle of changing times, and not on their own, standing out as something special. Everything for a genius exists as in life - simultaneously and diverse.

Laurentian Library

Simultaneously with his work in the New Sacristy, which he turned into a majestic chapel, Michelangelo was building a library. After passing through a cozy courtyard, you can get into it through the left nave. It is intended only for initiates.

It contains ancient manuscripts, illustrated codices, and the text of the union that was concluded at the Council of Florence in 1439. First there was a vestibule, then a hall for manuscripts, where they could be stored and read. This long gray stone room has light walls. The lobby is high. Tourists are not allowed further than into it. There are no statues, but there are double columns that are recessed into the walls. Particular attention was paid to the unusual one, which resembles the flow of molten lava. It has semicircular steep steps and very low railings. It begins at the threshold of the lobby and expands to form three parts. The master himself was already in Rome when the staircase, the main attraction of the lobby, was built using his clay model.

This concludes the description of the creation of the brilliant Michelangelo. In this grandiose work he realized his innovative ideas. They are so universal that they have acquired significance for all of humanity. This is how the Medici Chapel changed. Florence received a Medici monument, which became a monument to the city itself.

There is a square in sunny Florence - it is called Piazzale Michelangelo - which attracts travelers like a magnet. Especially “armed” with photo and video cameras. Because best place, from which such a magnificent panorama would open ancient city, you simply can’t find it here. It’s not for nothing that it’s called a large observation deck or even an open terrace, from which we can see views, first of all, of historical center capital of Tuscany.

Square located on a hill

Piazzale Michelangelo ( Italian Piazzale Michelangelo) appeared in Florence in 1869. Its designer was the architect Giuseppe Poggi. It is located in the Oltrarno area on the left bank of the Arno River, or rather, on one of the local hills, between the Bardini and Boboli gardens behind Palazzo Pitti. It is this circumstance that determines its advantages as observation deck. In addition to the historical heart of the city, the Arno coastline, surrounded by greenery, is clearly visible from here.

Such famous sights of Florence as Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) and the Palazzo Vecchio, Fort Belvedere and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiori (Duomo), the red dome of which has become the symbol of the city. Moreover, you are guaranteed an excellent view at any time of the day, since at night, thanks to the illumination, the capital of Tuscany shines with lights and is perfectly visible. Even people with disabilities can admire the views of the city from this place: a special lift is equipped for them to Piazzale Michelangelo.

The square is named after the outstanding Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet of the 16th century. This is definitely a sign of the Florentines’ respect for their famous countryman. But not only that. After all, it contains copies of the most famous creations of Michelangelo Buonarroti, which are recognized as the greatest works of art of world significance.

This is a 5-meter marble statue of David (it was first presented to the local public on September 8, 1504 in Piazza della Signoria), which became a symbol of the Florentine Republic, the original of which is kept in the city Academy of Fine Arts. And located along its perimeter are twins of four allegories of time from the memorial chapel of the Medici family - the Medici Chapel - at the Church of San Lorenzo. The pedestal for copies of Michelangelo's works was also created by Giuseppe Poggi.

Here, on the square, there is a loggia, furnished in a neoclassical style, which was once a museum of works of art by Michelangelo. It houses a restaurant that offers its visitors traditional dishes Italian national cuisine.

Michelangelo built bastions

The history of the square named after the outstanding sculptor and architect dates back to the times when, in 1530, Florence was besieged by the troops of Emperor Charles V and the Roman Pontiff Clement VII (in the world Giulio Medici). Believe it or not, Michelangelo himself led the defense. Moreover, he erected bastions on the hill of San Miniato, and the remains of these fortifications have survived to this day. When climbing a hill they are quite visible. These circumstances, in fact, determined the name of the future square, the panoramic view from which actually covers the entire historical center of Florence, starting from the Forte Belvedere fortress and up to the Church of Santa Croce. In addition to the red dome of the Duomo, the gaze easily takes in the octagonal bell tower of the Florence Abbey and the hills stretching north of Florence.

Travelers who have already been there amazing place, they know that the best way to climb the hill is on foot - a narrow street leads here. This will allow you to leisurely and soulfully enjoy the surrounding beauties and visit many interesting historical places. By Vecchio Bridge you can go to the left bank of the Arno and, moving along the embankment on east direction, walk to the next bridge, Ponte alle Grazie... However, you can’t tell about everything. Come and see all this splendor with your own eyes.

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Michelangelo is without any doubt the most famous, and along with Leonardo, the most complex of the creators of the Florentine Renaissance . Creative personality Michelangelo possessed rare fruitfulness and the ability to constantly create. He tested himself in various fields of art, often showing absolute freedom from the canons of his time. Marble sculpture , besides drawing , was his favorite means of expression.

Accademia Gallery - Medici Chapels

On excursion For the first acquaintance with the genius of Michelangelo, we will focus on his work as a sculptor and architect and devote our attention to his most famous works in Florence. This will allow you to understand and see the main elements of his work and discover the milestones of his life, characterized by the close interweaving of personal, creative and political history.

Inside the walls Academy Galleries You will see « David» , an image of a civic ideal and an expression of a new understanding of man, and also « Slaves» , the vibrating energy of which spiritualizes marble. They were created for the unfinished tomb of Pope Julius II and are a perfect example of the independence of the great Michelangelo from the customer.

IN Medici Chapel , the tomb of his patrons, Michelangelo for the first time combines sculpture and architecture, and inside his conceived interior there are figures "Morning", "Day", "Evenings" And "Nights" They are having a melancholic conversation among themselves.

Their words sound in the verses of Michelangelo:

It's nice to sleep, it's nicer to be a stone,

Oh, in this criminal and shameful age,

Not living, not feeling is an enviable lot,

Please be quiet, don't you dare wake me up!

The Florentine masterpiece of Michelangelo the architect remains Laurentian Library : the bright and austere reading room and the high lobby are connected by a staircase - an incomparable creation that flows like a waterfall.

Museum of the House of Buonarroti - Santa Croce - Bargello

Continuing the excursions for the whole day will allow you to learn the details of Michelangelo's life and see his other works, especially his early works.

Going to church (Holy Spirit) we will see a youthfully thin Christ from a wooden Crucifixions , which takes us to the era of the emergence of genius.

IN Casa Buonarroti , where a large collection of his drawings is kept, two of his earliest works are exhibited: Battle of the Centaurs And Madonna at the Stairs as well as a wooden model of the facade of the Church of San Lorenzo.

There is a church in the immediate vicinity of Buonarroti's house. Santa Croce , where Michelangelo, who died in Rome, was reburied. The monument in his honor immortalizes the great creator and illustrates his versatility in the arts of painting, sculpture and architecture.

National Museum Bargello holds four works by Michelangelo: « Bacchus» , « Apollo» , high relief « Tondo Pitti» and bust « Brutus» , which relate to different periods of his long creative life. A visit to this museum will also give you an idea of ​​what the sources of Michelangelo’s work were and what the influence of his art was on contemporary and subsequent masters.

The statue of David by the outstanding Renaissance master (Michelangelo di Buonarroti, 1475-1564) is located in the Gallery (Galleria dell’Accademia) in Florence.

The sculpture, made from a monolithic block of valuable Carrara marble, is 5.17 meters high and weighs more than 6 tons. “David” is recognized as the standard of male beauty and one of the most significant masterpieces of world art.

The image of the biblical king had inspired masters before, but all of Michelangelo’s predecessors (Donatello, ) portrayed him as the winner, at whose feet the head of Goliath fell. Buonarroti's artistic innovation was that for the first time he captured the hero at the moment of preparation for the decisive battle. The statue depicts a naked young man of powerful physique, ready to fight a dangerous enemy. His proud head with a shock of hair, frowning eyebrows and firmly compressed lips speak of an unbending will.

The lines of the body are anatomically perfect, the relaxed posture indicates confidence and strength, the sling thrown over the left shoulder promises a deadly attack to the enemy.
The sculptural image of the king of the Jews was commissioned by Michelangelo in 1501 from the guild of wool merchants. It was this association that was responsible for the decoration (La Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore). Florence was rightfully proud of the temple; its worthy design was a matter of honor for the guild elders. The statue was to become part of a sculptural ensemble consisting of twelve characters from the Old Testament. This was not destined to come true.

During the period of work on “David,” not only the creative biography of the Tuscan sculptor, but also the political life of the republic changed dramatically. Initially, the order was only of a religious nature. But during the creation of the sculpture, Florence expelled the Medici tyrants and Michelangelo’s “David” became a symbol of republican freedom and the defense of the fatherland from the power of tyrants.

History of creation

The history of the Florentine Republic is closely intertwined with the creation of a world masterpiece. The picture of the medieval world had few shades of freethinking; the Italian city-states were a unique phenomenon of that time. Florence never obeyed papal bulls and ducal decrees; only human genius was its immutable law.

The work lasted two years and four months. The master was 26 years old at that time, but he managed to become famous as a great sculptor who eclipsed Leonardo himself. Michelangelo took the most difficult exam in his life; for any artist of that time, it was important whether Florence recognized his skill.

The story of the birth of the masterpiece is unusual. Interesting description Buonarroti's work on the statue is given by his contemporary Giorgio Vasari. According to his notes, the master received a block of marble already damaged by notches and chips. The shape of the future sculpture had to be chosen so that these defects would not be noticeable.

There were no assistants, Michelangelo worked alone, moving around the giant block on scaffolding. The work took place in complete secrecy; the place where the statue was created was surrounded by a wooden fence. When it was almost completed, the master spent four months on final finishing and polishing.

Copies

• The most famous is located in Piazza della Signoria in Florence, where the original was originally installed.
  
  
• Another one, also in Florence, on Piazzale Michelangelo, is made of bronze. The square was built on the left bank of the Arno in 1869 and is interesting for tourists, as it offers a magnificent view of the city.
  
  
• There is a plaster copy in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Associated with her funny story: in case of visits from Queen Victoria, the causative part of the statue was covered with a removable fig leaf.
  
  
• The Italian courtyard of the Pushkin Museum in Moscow also boasts its “David”.
  
  

• The statue of “David” was transported from the place of work to Piazza della Signoria on a specially designed bullock cart in 4 days. All of Florence witnessed an amazing spectacle. Several envious people of Michelangelo tried to throw stones at the sculpture, for which they went to prison.
• In 1527, "David" suffered from a political debate when a bench flew out of a window of the Palazzo Vecchio and injured his left arm. The restoration was carried out by Vasari.
• Florence gave Jerusalem a copy of the sculpture. The gift was not accepted; the authorities of Jerusalem were outraged that David was naked and uncircumcised.
• In 2004, Florence celebrated the 500th anniversary of the creation of the masterpiece. In honor of this event, the sculpture was washed for the first time in 130 years.
• A recent study revealed the threat of destruction of the statue from tremors. According to the Italian Minister of Culture Dario Franceschini, 200 thousand euros will be allocated for the installation of an earthquake-resistant pedestal.

Where is it located, opening hours, tickets

• The Academy of Arts Gallery is located at Via Ricasoli, 66, 50122 Firenze.
• The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:15 to 18:50, the ticket office closes at 18:20, closed on Mondays. The ticket price is 8 euros, for citizens of European Union countries aged 18-25 years old upon presentation of an identity card - 4 euros.
• Official website of the Gallery: www.polomuseale.firenze.it. To avoid queues at the box office, it is recommended to book or buy tickets online.
• The collection of exhibits is worthy of attention; other works by Michelangelo are also presented: “Palestrina Pieta”, “Four Slaves” (Prigioni), “St. Matthew” (San Matteo). Photography in the Gallery is permitted without flash.

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Wonders of Florence: the sculpture of David.

Michelangelo is an Italian architect, painter, poet and sculptor, known throughout the world for his unique creations. The most striking and recognizable work of the master was the statue of David in Florence. About the history and description of this masterpiece, as well as interesting facts and other impressive works of the master, you will read in the presented article.

History of Michelangelo's statue

In the 15th century, construction work was underway on the construction of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. During the years of completion of construction, the question arose about decorating the interior of the building. This business was carried out by a successful and enterprising guild of wool merchants. They were both the customer and the sponsor of the construction of the temple, as well as its interior design. Members of the society agreed that to give the building special beauty and sophistication, it was necessary to decorate it with 12 statues of prophets from the Old Testament.

In 1464, the sculptor Donatello and his student Agostino di Duccio created 2 statues. The guild liked the work of the masters, and they ordered another statue from them - David. For this purpose, a large piece of marble quarried in Carrara was delivered to Florence. After Donatello's death in 1466, his apprentice refused to fulfill the contract. The creation of David passed into the hands of Antonio Rossellino, however, he was unable to fulfill the order given to him.

The block under open air, local residents nicknamed "The Giant". Due to changes in weather and temperature, the marble decreased in size, cracks and chips appeared on it. At the beginning of the 16th century, the cathedral ministers consulted with Leonardo da Vinci, who recognized the stone as suitable for creating sculpture.

The next master who was entrusted with the execution of the statue of David was 26-year-old Michelangelo Buonarroti. In August 1501, he signed the contract, and a month later began processing the shapeless marble into a masterpiece of the ideal human body. The sculptor worked alone for days on end. The block stood in the open air, so in the process of creating his creation, Michelangelo bravely endured heavy rains, winter cold, and summer heat.

In January 1504, a “display” of the finished statue of David was planned. Such Florentine masters as Andrea della Robbia, Botticelli, Giuliano and Antonio Sangallo, Perugino, Andrea Sovino and others came to the cathedral. They had to evaluate the creation of the young and ambitious Italian. After removing the fence protecting the sculpture from prying eyes, Michelangelo's ideal David appeared to the gaze of the assembled critics. All the visiting masters admired his creation, and the Signoria who was present suggested making the sculpture a symbol of the new Republican Florence.

David was placed in the Piazza della Signoria in May 1504, on the site of Donatello's statue of Judith. In 1527, the rule of Florence was again in the hands of the Medici family. As a result of the defense of one of the city's buildings, David's hand was smashed to pieces. The sculptor Vasari collected the fragments, and 16 years later (1543) he restored the masterpiece at the behest of Cosimo I de' Medici.

David stood in the open air for several centuries. Due to the variability of weather, the material became unusable. In the 19th century, the sculpture underwent 2 restorations, but they were carried out extremely unsuccessfully. In 1873, David was moved to the Academy Gallery, where he occupied a specially designated place for him - a large podium. The place in Piazza della Signoria was also not left desolate. In 1910, an excellent copy of the Old Testament character was installed here.

In 2003-2004, Michelangelo's statue was cleaned of accumulated layers of dust and dirt. The work was carried out by professional restorers. Unfortunately, some guests of the Florence museum damage the majestic sculpture. In 1991, one of the visitors managed to break off several pieces of marble from the toes of David’s left foot.

Description of the statue of David

Michelangelo's sculpture of David is considered the finest work of art of the Italian Renaissance. The marble youth from the tales of the Old Testament is recognized as a perfect creation and the ideal of male beauty.

The original statue of David has a height of 5 m 17 cm. It depicts a naked young man who is preparing for the upcoming battle with Goliath. Michelangelo's statue is a kind of innovation, because... the master's predecessors created sculptures of a hero triumphing over a fallen giant. You can notice concentration and calm in David’s pose. The expression on his face suggests that the young man is not afraid of Goliath. David's muscles are tense: his left hand holds a sling thrown over his shoulder. The right hand picks up the weapon from below, and the hero holds a stone in it. The figure of David suggests that he is ready to fight a strong enemy and has prepared a deadly blow for him.

Today the original statue of David is in the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence.

1. David is a character in the Bible. According to the biblical legend, the young man defeated Goliath with a stone and a sling, although the hero’s naked body contradicts the foundations of the religious book.
2. David in Florence is almost 3 times the height of a man.
3. The young man's right hand is asymmetrical and does not fit the proportions of the rest of the body. Many experts believe that this “oversight” was made specifically to emphasize David’s nickname – a strong hand.
4. Due to the fact that the sling is in David's left hand, the hero is considered left-handed. However, the position of the sculpture's body suggests otherwise.
5. Initially, the statue of Michelangelo was planned to be placed on the dome of the cathedral. Having seen the masterpiece created by the master, they decided to place it in a more prominent place - Piazza della Signoria.
6. Before creating the famous David, Michelangelo managed to establish himself as a talented sculptor. The work “Roman Pieta” brought fame to the master. Later, the Italian created the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, and was recognized as an outstanding painter of the time.
7. The pose of David has clear similarities with sculptures of Hercules.
8. David has many copies. The most famous of them are located in Piazza della Signoria and Michelangelo in Florence, in London Museum Albert and Victoria, as well as in the Moscow Pushkin Museum.
9. In 1857, Queen Victoria of England was given a copy of David. The queen did not like the hero's nudity, and she ordered his genitals to be covered with a fig leaf made of plaster.
10. In the 20th century, the authorities of Florence wanted to donate a cast of a sculpture of an Old Testament character to Jerusalem. Authorities Israeli city refused the gift, justifying this by the fact that David is depicted as an Italian, not a Jew. According to the country's religion, Jewish men must have their foreskin circumcised.

Other works by Michelangelo

During his life, Michelangelo created many valuable works of art. In addition to David, the Roman Pieta and the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, the master created the following masterpieces:

Sculptures and bas-reliefs:

• Madonna at the Staircase;
• Battle of the Centaurs;
• Crucifixion;
• Saint Proclus;
• Saint Peter;
• Angel;
• St. Paul;
• Bacchus (Michelangelo's first creation);
• Saint Pius I;
• St. George I;
• Venus and Cupid;
• Saint Matthew;
• Moses et al.

Painting:

• Entombment;
• Madonna Donnie;
• Madonna and Child;
• Last Judgment;
• Tityus;
• Cleopatra;
• Crucifixion of St. Peter;
• Epiphany, etc.

Architecture:

• tombstone of Giuliano Medici;
• lobby, staircase and reading room of the Laurentian Library;
• Palace of the Conservatives in Rome;
• tomb of Julius II;
• Palazzo Farnese in Rome;
• Porta Pius in Rome;
• Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome, etc.

Some of the works of the Italian master were lost over time. In addition, several creations have no evidence of Michelangelo's authorship.

The famous David, whose statue is located in Florence, is recognized as an outstanding masterpiece not only by Michelangelo Buonarroti, but also by the entire Italian Renaissance. If you are in this region of Italy, be sure to visit the Academy of Fine Arts and look at the famous 5-meter sculpture with your own eyes.