Michelangelo's David - A Study of Form and Function

As we learn from observation and in practice in our own art, all of our works will hold a function or purpose. Many times this purposes comes in the form of a message. In contemporary graphic design, the message that accompanies the artwork is the key and must outweigh any visual stimulation or enjoyment. Traditional art, while many times appearing to exist for the sake of visual pleasure also has its roots in the basic concept of function. David’s purpose in Biblical history is one of triumph over adversity. Though the bible documents his life as King in with more emphasis, the story that holds most fame is the little boy that conquered the giant. The symbolism of David the conqueror was appropriate for the city of Florence Italy, where the statues originally stood. Paul Brians writes in Reading About the World, Volume 1 that Michelangelo’s David “was intended to act as a symbol of Florence's readiness to defend itself” (WSU). In further research we find that indeed the David was placed strategically in the centre of Florence at Piazza della Signori “as a symbol of the Republic's defiance” to those who would oppress it (visit Florence website).
The boldness of the sculpture itself along with the underlying
meaning cause it to fulfill its function with power, beauty and grace. The added dimension of depicting David nude was a bold statement in itself for the time. It was very uncommon for a large statue of a nude to be placed in a public place, let alone in the town hall. (statue.com) The statue was strategically placed in the
main square of the town at Palazzo Vecchio.
An artistic insight into the structure comes the following passage: “The muscles and the tendons are developed only to the point where they can still be interpreted as the perfect instrument for a strong will, and not to the point of becoming individual self-governing forms.” (statue.com) When observing the details of the muscles of David, a sense of strength is immediately derived. The above passage however leads the mind to what I feel is one of the necessary observations of David. The strength of this young man, which slew a giant and brought peace to his people, is one of will. Taken further, I will say it is one of free will. The people of Florence were not truly protected by the iconic statue in their central city. Their defender against opposers such as had been during the rule of the Medici (about Florence website) was something that lay within the heart of each citizen. David’s function was to demonstrate the very character of the Florentines. His body, crafted in stone, was a tribute to their own free will, and their will for freedom.
Sources Cited: Brians ,Paul – Reading About the World, Volume 1, Visit Florence Website Statue.com AboutFlorence.com PBS.org Image credits: Robert Scarth