Baroque Blog Post

     Bernini's sculpture of David is unlike Michelangelo's and Donatello's.  Both Michelangelo and Donatello's versions of David have pretty obvious similarities; they are both solitary sculptures, they are standing in similar positions, and both of them are fully...exposed.  Bernini's sculpture is extremely different.  David's manhood is mostly covered and this sculpture includes more than just David, and it has movement unlike the other two.  Michelangelo's David was David prior to slaying Goliath, Donatello's was David after he had slayed Goliath, but Bernini's sculpture of David shows him in the act of slaying Goliath bringing more drama, movement, and life to his sculpture.  When looking at the sculpture you can envision David slaying the ginormous beast.  Bernini's sculpture is more complex and elaborate than Michelangelo and Donatello's because of David's twisting body, the intensity of his facial expression, and the props with him in the sculpture.  Complexity is exactly what Baroque style is all about. All the pieces of the sculpture flow together and compliment David in his effort to kill Goliath.   Bernini's sculpture of David is arguably his masterpiece.  Although there had been numerous David sculptures done before his, the complexity of the Baroque style perfected his effort and his sculpture of the hero highlighted his career.