David

            Naturalism is a key part of Renaissance art during the 15^th century.  Naturalism is capturing objects as it appears in nature. Artists would strive for extreme detail and idealized perfection while attaining balance and harmony. Renaissance artists were influenced by humanism, the appreciation of human achievement. Baroque art of the 17^th century integrates some ideals from the Renaissance while moving forward with change. Michelangelo created David in 1501-1504 this sculpture embodies Renaissance ideals. Bernini created a David sculpture in 1623, comparing the two David sculptures shows how Baroque art has evolved from Renaissance art.

Michelangelo’s David conveys Renaissance styles; naturalism, idealism, humanism and harmony. This David sculpture is naturalistic yet idealized because he has anatomy, and very perfect musculature. David appears to be perfectly proportionate except his hands that are huge. It is said that his hands are large because David was going to be placed very high. From far away David’s hands would have appeared proportionate. His hair is idealized with flawless curls. Harmony is captured by creating him to be the perfect height, and by utilizing contrapposto pose. The contrapposto pose is when the figure has one weight bearing leg and one bent leg, which causes a shift in the hips. There is added balance in the arms, one arm is bent and the other is straight, similar to his legs. Humanism is achieved in this sculpture through appreciation of the nude human body.

Bernini’s David shows how Baroque art has developed from Renaissance art. This sculpture of David is more naturalistic than Michelanglo’s, the anatomy seems very natural. Bernini’s David is not as idealized as Michelanglo’s perfectly muscular David. Baroque art moves away from idealism, instead artists show the dirt of life. Bernini captured David as an average man with messy hair, who does not have perfect curls. Bernini’s David suggests emotion, it seems that he is biting his lip and scrunching his brow. Michelangelo’s David appears emotion less. This shows how Baroque art blurs the boundaries of reality and art. Michelangelo’s David looks like stone, where Bernini’s David looks like a real man doing real things. I think that Bernini’s sculpture shows humanism because this David is mostly nude, and only has a small section of cloth covering him. During the 17^th century the Catholic Counter-Reform caused censorship in art, through specifically placed fabric. Baroque art also moves away from visual harmony, instead of using contrapposto pose, David is twisted and utilizes visual diagonals which is more visually interesting. Art during the Baroque period portrays motion and moments of heightened drama which is unusual for Renaissance art.

            Art during the 17^th century has many stylistic similarities to Renaissance art yet is very different. Baroque art rejects Renaissance ideals of perfection through idealism. Baroque art is visually dynamic, includes emotion and drama. This art period conveys true naturalism by showing even the dirt under fingernails. I think that it is interesting to compare the David sculptures by Michelangelo and Bernini. Comparing sculptures like this demonstrate the evolution of art from Renaissance to Baroque.