The Connection Between David and Florence

Ever since Renaissance times, Florence has seen David as an emblem of the city.

David’s strength, courage and youthful confidence were the image that Florence wanted to project.

In the 1500’s Florence had regained its status as a republic. David symbolized the city’s independence from outside domination, both foreigners and the aristocracy.

Like Florence, David turns out to be more powerful than he looks.

Standing guard outside the government offices, the statue is also a reminder of the example to follow: defend boldly and lead justly.

The statue of David by Michelangelo

Michelangelo’s statue of David has become practically a synonym for Florence.

Statue of David by Michelangelo
The making of this famous sculpture had a difficult history.

The marble block that Michelangelo used to make the David had been sitting in the courtyard of today’s Museum of the Works of the Duomo for over 20 years.

Two other artists had previously tried to satisfy the Wool Guild's request for a gigantic David, but had found the quality of the marble poor and the massive size too difficult to work with and had given up.

So, the partially chiselled mass lay abandoned and exposed to the elements while the commissioners kept hoping to find another sculptor who could make something of it.

Michelangelo thought he could do it, and took on the job.

He started in 1501 and three years later, on 24 June 1503 (the holiday celebrating the patron saint of Florence, St. John the Baptist) Michelangelo’s outdoor workshop was opened to the public.

Like Donatello’s marble David, the sculpture was originally meant to stand on one of the pedestals near the cupola of the Duomo.

However, whereas Donatello’s David was considered too small to be seen from the ground, Michelangelo’s statue was considered too great to be ‘hidden