Visiting The David in Florence
The Accademia Gallery in Florence is really only well-known to tourists for one thing – the David. The rest of the Accademia’s art is glanced at or completely ignored by tourists whose sole mission is to stand in front of the David for a moment taking in the form, figure, and fine use of marble making up this larger-than life masterpiece.
You can’t fault them, though, the David is a worthwhile reason for venturing to this gallery of fine arts just beyond the city center heart of Florence. David was created by Michelangelo from 1501 to 1504. According to most, the statue represents David (from David & Goliath) at the moment before he defeats Goliath in battle. When revealed in 1504, the David was placed outside the seat of civic government in Florence, Palazzo della Signoria, and came to represent the defense of civil liberties for Florentines, David’s glare was aimed towards Rome.
Because Michelangelo adhered to the concepts of disegno, he worked under the premise that the image of David was already in the block of stone he was working on. David is one of the most recognized pieces of Renaissance sculpture, becoming a symbol of strength and beauty.
The David stands 17 feet tall. Although not all of his proportions are true to human form and his uncircumcised form would have been at odds with Judaic practice – the David is a masterpiece. Standing below the massive sculpture – made to feel even more massive as it is on a large pedestal – you stand in awe of the human form, in awe of art’s ability to capture human form and in awe of the artist whose ability was so great.
When Michelangelo finished creating the masterpiece, it took four days to move the massive statue from his workshop down the streets of Florence to the Piazza della Signoria. Amid growing concerns that he was losing his balance and leaning forward, the David was moved to the Accademia in 1873 for safekeeping and to protect it from the elements. The move was a massive undertaking with streets widened and arches demolished. The move took 40 men five days to accomplish. A replica (photographed above) was put in its place in front of the Palazzo della Signoria in 1910.
David leads a chequered past. In 1527 someone threw a bench out of the window of the Palazzo Vecchio breaking his left arm in three places. In 1544, his left shoulder fell off killing a poor peasant who had come to pay respects. During his move to the Accademia in 1873, he was kept wrapped up for nine years while his room in the building was completed. When he was eventually revealed, he was covered in mold. And in 1992, a madman smashed his left foot with a hammer injuring his toes. Now, David is protected. There is a four foot glass barrier that stands between you and David making sure that no one gets too close to him again.
No photos are allowed inside of the Academy of Fine Arts. Even though I saw some teenagers utilizing their camera phones to take inappropriate shots of the backside of the David, we refrained from snapping photos. If you just can’t get enough of the David during your visit – you can take him home with you. Souvenir stands throughout Italy (not just Florence) sell small replicas of the masterpiece.
Known for its long lines and need for advanced-sell tickets, I was not sure what to expect with the Accademia. I ventured over on a sunny day right at lunchtime. Even though there were twenty people (yes, only 20 people) in line in front of me, I waited a mere six minutes to be granted access (FREE access thanks to it being Culture Week throughout Italy) to the first school in Europe devoted to teaching the techniques of drawing, painting and sculpture. I enjoyed perusing its collection meant to provide students with inspirational models – and enjoyed their key piece, the David, as well as numerous others.
