The Baroque period of the 17th century incorporates many ideals from the Renaissance, such as humanism, naturalism, idealism, illusionism, and visual harmony. Since these themes developed in the Renaissance Era just before the Baroque period, so it only makes sense that the Baroque style bases much of its characteristics off past notions in art. Both Bernini’s (from the Baroque period) and Michelangelo’s (from the Renaissance Era) statues of David share similar goals in representing these traits, although they may reach them in different fashions.
Humanism is represented in both depictions of David through content and the human figure. The content celebrates human achievement through the Biblical story of David’s victory against Goliath. Although both figures are nude, the humanism translated through form in Bernini’s sculpture is muffled in his attempt for “appropriate” subject matter. A cloth conveniently covers his groin area as a result of counter-reformist actions in art. Michelangelo’s appears more influenced by classicism, since it is more idealized in regards to his musculature. However, Bernini may have idealized himself some as well.
Humanism is represented in both depictions of David through content and the human figure. The content celebrates human achievement through the Biblical story of David’s victory against Goliath. Although both figures are nude, the humanism translated through form in Bernini’s sculpture is muffled in his attempt for “appropriate” subject matter. A cloth conveniently covers his groin area as a result of counter-reformist actions in art. Michelangelo’s appears more influenced by classicism, since it is more idealized in regards to his musculature. However, Bernini may have idealized himself some as well.
While Bernini’s sculpture might lacks in idealism, it excels with its naturalism, especially since Bernini was known to represent exactly what he saw in front of him for most of his paintings and sculptures. Michelangelo’s David, on the other hand, has disproportionate parts. His head seems slightly larger and his hands were made larger to account for its intended location up high, where the exaggeration would be deemed more suitable.
Both of the sculptures attain visual harmony by different means. Michelangelo’s David is portrayed in contrapposto stance, with one weight bearing foot. This is not only a naturalist and humanist characteristic (in that it is a natural human stance), but it gives the piece a balance, with one bent leg and one bent arm. Bernini’s David is extremely dramatic in representing action. He appears in a twisting motion, giving many different aspects to the piece, while at the same time reaching a visual balance with the composition.
I think that they both show naturalism in the way that Michelangelo and Bernini both included the lines of muscles and veins. They also both give off a sense of movement. I like how you put out that they both obtain their own kind of visual harmony because although Bernini's depiction is angled, it still has great harmony.
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