David is a sculpture produced between 1501 and 1504 by Italian artist Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni.
One of the most famous sculptures of Renaissance and in general, and has been considered as an expression of the anthropocentric perspective of view.
The colossal marble David, the biblical hero, was presented in an unusual way for the tradition of that time. It is believed that David was depicted at the time just before the battle with Goliath. A young man, in full strength, is shown as he is preparing for the epic clash. Davids facial expression and body posture are saying that the hero does not rely on his physical strength, but primarily on his knowledge and wisdom. Biblical David has become a thinking man by the artist’s imagination, the ideal of the Renaissance. The manner of the work suggests extensive knowledge of the human body and its proportions. The sculpture was commissioned by the government of Florence, and it was set on the square Piazza Della Signoria, which was the political center of the city. In this context, David has become a symbol of civil liberties of the Republic of Florence and a symbol of willingness and determination of the city in defense of them.
The work can be viewed at Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, Florence, Italy.