David-Apollo
Michelangelo Buonarroti, Casting Workshop of the Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum (cast maker)
- Artist
-
Michelangelo Buonarroti
Caprese, 1475 – Róma, 1564
Casting Workshop of the Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum
(cast maker)
Berlin, 20. század első fele
- Dated
- 1530–1531 (original), 1905 (cast)
- Classification
- sculpture, plaster cast
- Medium
- plaster cast
- Dimensions
- 145 × 47 × 47 cm
- Inv.no.
- 2022.2.1.Rg
- Department
- Sculpture
- Current Location of the Original Artwork
- Italy, Florence, Museo Nazionale del Bargello
The David-Apollo marble statue was ordered from Michelangelo by Baccio Valori, who had been appointed as papal governor of Florence in 1530. The statue was destined for his palace. Michelangelo worked on the sculpture, which was never completed, in 1530—1531. The artwork is known by two names, as it is unclear whether it portrays David from the Old Testament or Apollo from Greek mythology. While many have claimed to recognise the head of Goliath in the uncarved marble block at the feet of the youth, the latter’s characteristic movement, as he reaches for an arrow in the quiver at his back, suggests he is Apollo.