BRONZE DAVID

The title David refers to two sculptures of the biblical hero David created by the Italian early Renaissance artist Donatello. They include an early work in marble of a clothed man, as well as a considerably more renowned bronze figure, which is naked save for helmet and boots and dates to the 1440s or later. Both are presently housed at Florence's Museo Nazionale del Bargello.

Donatello really created two Davids during his lifetime, one in marble and the other in bronze. Both depict the Biblical character David, with the bronze statue entirely nude between the head and feet. At the time of its production, there was some dispute around the artwork, which current historians attribute to possible sexual connotations. The most notable is the way the feathers of Donatello's helmet wrap around David's leg, which has been interpreted to indicate Donatello's gay aspirations. Whatever the historical debate, the David sculpture is today greatly admired and is housed in Florence's Museo Nazionale del Bargello.