Yes, they say it's one of Michaelangelo's greatest works of art..... the marble statue of the naked David. Yes, many experts have said that the proportion is excellent. But, why do I find that David's head is a little too big for the size of his body? Whenever I see a photo of this world-famous artpiece, I really wonder if the proportion is indeed excellent. Well, if the experts find and think that the proportions of David is perfect......I guess, they see something that I don't. What do you think?
2006-07-07 04:44:07 · 15 answers · asked by bongcs 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Sculpture
Hope this helps.
Michelangelo's David is based on the artistic discipline of disegno, which is built on knowledge of the male human form. Under this discipline, sculpture is considered to be the finest form of art because it mimics divine creation. Because Michelangelo adhered to the concepts of disegno, he worked under the premise that the image of David was already in the block of stone he was working on -- in much the same way as the human soul is thought to be found within the physical body. It is also an example of the contrapposto style of posing the human figure.
The proportions are not quite true to the human form; the head and upper body are somewhat larger than the proportions of the lower body. While some have suggested that this is of the mannerist style, the most commonly accepted explanation is that the statue was originally intended to be placed on a church facade or high pedestal, and that the proportions would appear correct when the statue was viewed from some distance below.
2006-07-07 05:46:37 · answer #1 · answered by samanthajanecaroline 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"David" was meant to be placed much higher than it is. Ever notice when you look up at a building that is the same size all the way up it seems to be smaller at the top? Michaelangelo made the head bigger so that it would be in perspective when viewed from below. The size was also emphasized to show the importance of the moment Michaelangelo choose to depict. Most other statues of "David" done at the time (Donatello and Verrocchio) showed him triumphant after the stone was thrown. Michaelangelo's "David" depicts the moment of contemplation, it's the physiological moment not the physical moment or the victorious moment. The hands are also enlarged to see the build of tension with the stone in hand. Michaelangelo believed that proportion should be measured by the eyes not with mathematical methods. If "David" had been placed where it was meant, it would be seen in perfect proportion.
2006-07-07 18:14:04 · answer #2 · answered by tigerbychild 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is okay to be critical or ask questions of Michaelangel's artwork. But, I'm sure it's just that you're focusing too much on his head. Have you ever actually studied proportions of the human anatomy? If you haven't, I suggest finding a diagram map. You can find them in any art store. Then, you could decide for yourself and be sure. Michaelango sculpted beautifully I must say. I also suggest reading "The Agony and The Ecstasty" It is a book about his life in short. A wonderful book to give you some insight.
2006-07-07 04:51:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you go to Florence, Italy and see the David at the Academia all your questions about the proportions of the head and hands will be answered.
The David stands over 17 feet tall from the bottom of the base to the top of the head. Viewing it in reality, a person who is 5 ft 7 in. comes up to David's ankle..... the base is quite tall.
Given the angle of perspective and the foreshortening of the figure form the David appears more natural and the head and hands are not so terrifically enlarged.
Having said that, and having seen the David myself, I can report that the head and hands are nevertheless accentuated in size. I feel this is because the hands and the head are the most expressive parts of a human being, an attribute and artistic device that Michelangelo was utilized of throughout much of his art.
2006-07-09 20:10:18 · answer #4 · answered by Shalimar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've seen photos of David, and I wouldn't say the head is too large. Look at his hands. They are absolutely massive! There is some discrepancy in what you have asked in your question. You say "many experts have said [David's] proportion is excellent." Then later you say that "experts find and think that the proportions of David is perfect." Excellence is not necessarily perfection. These experts are probably saying that David's proportions are better than most other sculptures out there. I think it would be pretty close to impossible to make a perfectly proportioned sculpture. We as humans aren't even perfectly proportioned! Maybe David is more "realistically proportioned" rather than "perfectly proportioned".
2006-07-07 05:02:52 · answer #5 · answered by molly 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The idea that the expert say that the David is perfect is because it is. The Duccio marble block from which it was carved was only as wide as the widest part of the finished piece.
So, the idea is not to measure proportions but to expierience the magnificents of Michaelangelo's ability to bring this figure out of a cold piece of marble.
BTW, do you know Michaelangelo's last name?
2006-07-07 11:24:27 · answer #6 · answered by DBM 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The upper part of David's body is slightly bigger than the bottom half. If the statue were to be veiwed from below (imagine it on the top of a building and you're looking at it from street level) rather than straight on, the proportions will appear perfect.
2006-07-07 04:49:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
obvious's answer is right. especially during michelangelo's time, artists were concerned with making a perfect illusion when seen from a typical human perspective... in this case, eye level below the statue. you will see this in renaissance paintings, too. some were made for ceilings and tight spaces. in particular, there are wall paintings done by veronese and tintoretto were they look distorted or exaggerated when photographed "head on". but when viewed from where a human figure would be standing in the room, they are very illusionistic. supposedly it all relates to renaissance philosophies of humanism.
2006-07-07 04:56:05 · answer #8 · answered by thirty-one characters 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
which head?....sorry
you seem to be a very observant person. I've never noticed personally, but, i guess there's not a whole lot we can do about it. hope you're not losing sleep over it (= maybe you should become an art critic...
2006-07-07 04:49:46 · answer #9 · answered by blackolivesrule 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The head looks larger because it is. The statue was originally meant to be viewed from way below. It was suppose to be put up high near the ceiling, but because of the tremendous interest it generated, it was put down at just about street level.
It was sculpted on a kind of forced perspective to be viewed from far below, not from where it is now.
2006-07-07 05:00:59 · answer #10 · answered by brian k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋