Bernini and the Baroque

Bernini’s sculpture of David resembles the point at which people really made the leap from the Classical period into the Baroque. The traditional sculpting was left in the dust, and the new, engaging, interesting, imperfect sculptures were left to thrive. The limiting chains of the Classical period were released and never to be thought of again. Berninis sculpture resembles intriguing emotion and engaging physical activity. The viewers are obligated to walk around the sculpture, simply interested in whats happening in the back, and what exactly was laying on the ground behind David. This sculpture expresses certain facial expressions absent in both the renaissance and the Classical period. The classical and the renaissance both emulated the standard frontward faced, upright, blank expression statues which could be swallowed whole by the simple glance from the front, there was no driving force provoking the viewer to walk around or engage with the statue. Bernini’s sculpture brought to life either the actual image or idea of David, he gave a specific face to David, relating this historic figure to anyone and everyone who stands in front of this sculpture. This was the specific moment in which the surface was completely broken of the Classical influence, and not just scratched as the renaissance completed. The wonderful possibilities of art and expression were finally let loose with Bernini’s sculpture of David, people finally realized that there wasn’t a “standard” way to sculpt, and if so the “standard” way wasn’t the best way to express themselves. The Baroque also brought with it the over clothing of the sculptures, the objects of the sculpture were essentially drowned in there clothes requiring the viewer to closely examine the sculpture, solidifying the claim that the Baroque engaged the viewers into the artwork. This claim didn’t only pertain to sculptures, but also artwork as well. Even the paintings of the Baroque provided new perspectives of the events that were portrayed in the classical and renaissance periods. This was one of the most crucial transitions humans completed in our entire history. 

Who was David? Michelangelo and Donetello Possess Contradicting Illustrations

             The book states Michelangelo's David finely illustrates Appollonian classicism, while Donatello's David illustrates a portion of the renaissance labeled passionate individualism. I firmly believe these statues are perfectly labeled with the books assertions. Michelangelo's david articulately resembles the sculptures found in the classical period. They articulate the human bodies perfection, Davids pristine figure solidifies this claim. The "S" shape is prevalent in a few circumstances in Michelangelo's David, traveling from the left side of his face illuminating the body of the "S" with his pelvic area, down through his left leg.

            On the contrary, Donetello's David appears to be a statue illuminating something entirely novel in the ceramic world. As our natural ability can easily detect, David is distictly made of black clay. He's also wearing a hat, holding onto what appears to be a weapon of some sort. Donetello didn't branch out as far to absolutely extinguish the "S" curve from the statue, it's easily recognizable. The passionate individualism is very well illustrated in this sculpture, as Donetello essentially introduced a completely new David. He left the classical sculpting customs in the dust, and distinctly sculpted his vision of David as he wanted. In essence, Donetello broke free from the chains of the classical world, he introduced novel elements in the realm of sculpting, and changed the course proceeding sculpters would follow forever.
            An important element of these two sculptures and how they reflect the renaissance is that these two sculptures are completely foils of eachother. Another important note to take here is that when I think about the renaissance I dont think of one image in particular, rather I imagine humanity in a state of constant war, constant uneccessary human suffering, and a bunch of talented people performing some serious soul searching. The expression of art during the renaissance reflected humanity in a state of curiousity, artists such as Donetello were sick and tired of the status quo, they were the select few that entirely understood that there must be a better way the humans of the world can express themselves.