15 Lesser-Known Facts About Michelangelo’s ‘David’

Michelangelo's David is one of the most iconic and timeless statues in history, making headlines in 2023 when a Florida school principal faced backlash after presenting the statue to sixth graders, reportedly sparking parent complaints. Despite its global recognition, many are unaware of the fascinating details and unique stories behind its creation.

1. David is rooted in religious symbolism.

While Michelangelo’s depiction of a nude figure may not immediately suggest a biblical narrative, the sling draped over David’s left shoulder and the stone in his right hand reveal his identity as the legendary hero who defeated Goliath. Unlike traditional portrayals, Michelangelo chose not to include Goliath in the sculpture. Art historians suggest that David captures the moment before the battle, as evidenced by the tension and apprehension visible on his face. 

2. The statue is monumental in scale.

David towers at an impressive 17 feet, making it nearly three times taller than an average human. 

3. His right hand appears disproportionately large.

The disproportionate size of his right hand is thought to be Michelangelo’s artistic nod to David’s moniker, manu fortis, which translates to “strong of hand.” This intentional asymmetry adds depth to the sculpture. 

4. David is depicted as left-handed.

The placement of the slingshot reveals his left-handedness, though his posture oddly suggests a right-handed stance.

5. The statue was sculpted from a single block of rejected marble.

The marble block that birthed this iconic masterpiece exemplifies the saying that one person’s trash is another’s treasure. Michelangelo transformed a piece of marble that had been discarded twice by other artists. Agostino di Duccio abandoned it mid-project, leaving it untouched for a decade. Later, Antonio Rossellino attempted to use it but deemed it too difficult. By the time Michelangelo took on the challenge, the marble had waited 40 years for a sculptor capable of unlocking its potential. 

6. David was originally designed for an elevated position.

In 1501, Florence’s city officials tasked Michelangelo with crafting a statue to decorate the roofline of the city’s cathedral dome. However, once completed, the statue’s breathtaking beauty led officials to abandon the original plan and display it at ground level for closer admiration. In 2010, a Florence art initiative showcased David as initially envisioned, placing a replica high on the cathedral’s exterior and other proposed locations from 1504. 

7. The statue received universal acclaim from its debut.

Giorgio Vasari, the renowned 16th-century painter and architect, remarked about David, “Anyone who has seen this masterpiece need not seek out any other sculpture, whether from our era or any other.” Such high praise made it impossible for Florence to relegate the statue to a rooftop. 

8. It solidified Michelangelo’s legacy. 

Five years prior to David's unveiling, Michelangelo gained fame with his Pietà. However, it was David that established the 29-year-old as a leading figure of the High Renaissance. By 1508, he would embark on his most celebrated painting project in the Sistine Chapel. 

9. David drew inspiration from classical Roman art.

Michelangelo is thought to have modeled David’s stance after depictions of Hercules, a figure with strong connections to Florence, having been featured on the city’s seal for generations. By crafting such a magnificent statue in the Roman style, Michelangelo ensured its immediate acceptance and admiration by the Florentine people. 

10. For many years, David served as a powerful political emblem.

Following extensive discussions, David was positioned outside Florence’s government headquarters in the Palazzo Della Signoria, forging a strong association in the public’s perception. In 1494, the influential Medici family was ousted from Florence, leaving the new republic vulnerable to threats from both the returning Medicis (who reclaimed power in 1512) and neighboring states. This vulnerability drew parallels between Florence and the biblical David. The statue’s watchful gaze was deliberately directed toward Rome. 

These political undertones resulted in the statue being targeted twice in its early years. Protesters hurled stones at it during its unveiling, and in 1527, an anti-Medici uprising caused its left arm to shatter into three pieces. 

11. It has also endured contemporary assaults.

On September 14, 1991, Italian artist Piero Cannata smuggled a small hammer into the Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, where David is housed. He approached the statue and struck off the second toe of its left foot. Visitors quickly intervened, stopping Cannata from causing further harm and restraining him until authorities arrived. When questioned about his actions, Cannata stated that a model for Paolo Veronese, a contemporary of Michelangelo, had instructed him to do it. 

12. Multiple versions of David exist.

As one of the most iconic artworks globally, David has been reproduced on countless items, from t-shirts to mouse pads. However, Florence is also home to two full-scale replicas of the statue.

While the original David resides in a museum, a life-sized copy occupies its initial location in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, and a bronze version overlooks the city from Piazzale Michelangelo. 

13. David has faced censorship at times.

Fans of The Simpsons may remember an episode where Springfield residents demand that David be given pants. While played for laughs, this scenario reflects real-life instances of censorship surrounding the statue’s nudity. 

In 1857, the Grand Duke of Tuscany gifted a replica of Michelangelo’s David to England’s Queen Victoria. The queen, reportedly shocked by the statue’s nudity, prompted the creation of a removable plaster fig leaf to shield the statue’s modesty and protect the sensibilities of visitors at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. 

14. Tourists have not been kind to David.

More than 8 million visitors annually flock to the Galleria dell’Accademia to admire David. Unfortunately, research indicates that the constant foot traffic generates vibrations akin to minor, continuous earthquakes, which are gradually damaging the marble and impacting recent restoration efforts on this centuries-old masterpiece. 

15. The ownership of David is a contentious issue.

David has been on display at Florence’s Galleria dell’Accademia since 1873. However, as the statue’s popularity grew, the Italian government sought to clarify its ownership of this national treasure. In 2010, they launched a campaign to assert their claim over the iconic marble figure. 

Does the statue belong to Florence or Italy? A legal battle delved into the histories of both to determine the answer. Florence’s former mayor, Matteo Renzi, stated, “This is a modern-day David versus Goliath. Our fight is for a new approach to managing the cultural heritage of a city that thrives on culture.” The dispute remains unresolved.