Gordy’s Tour of Italy: Michelangelo Sculpture Of David Is Breathtaking In Florence

While on our recent travels to Italy, we had to see the world-famous Michelangelo masterpiece sculpture of the biblical David with a visit to the Academia Museum in Florence.

Our guide told us other artists tried to produce the sculpture but were frustrated by the flawed piece of marble. The 26-year-old Michelangelo was contracted Aug. 16, 1501, according to museum information and began carving on Sept. 13. The sculpture was unveiled Sept. 8, 1504, in a public square in Florence with David's eyes glaring toward Rome. In 1872 it would be moved to its present location and a replica was placed at the old site in 1910.

David stands 14 feet, 3 inches high on a marble pedestal. It was originally going to be attached to the roof of the Florence Cathedral but was so huge that became impossible. They say it weighs more than 6 tons. During World War II it was entombed in bricks to protect it from damage from airborne bombs. It did sustain some damage over the years and that's the primary reason it was moved inside.

All visitors must go through security now because some knucklehead brought in a hammer in 1991 and damaged toes on the left foot before he was restrained.

I am no art expert by any stretch of the imagination, but the detail is amazing. Michelangelo evidently depicted David just before the battle with Goliath with slingshot in hand and tensed up for the showdown. Our guide said Michelangelo preferred sculpture over painting (the Sistine Chapel) because of the real-life aspects he could depict. If you go to Florence you must see it for yourself. To think this piece of art is more than 500 years old is really incredible. What a talented artist he was. Look at the neck and hand detail.