Why The Statue of David Is World-Famous

Florence is home to some of the most famous works of art in the whole world. From lifelike paintings to detailed sculptures, there are endless artworks to view.

One of the most famous works of art in Florence is the Statue of David. So why is it so famous?

Who is David?

Before explaining why the Statue of David is so famous, you should first understand who David was. He was a biblical figure depicted in the Old Testament of the Bible. The story is found in the Book of Samuel, where a young shepherd befriends the king with his special musical talents.

When a war fell between the Philistines and Israel, a giant named Goliath challenged someone from the Israelites to face him in combat. David volunteered to complete the challenge without even wearing armour for protection. Eventually, he defeated the giant, bringing forth one of the most famous stories about an underdog.

Why is the Statue so Famous?

Before Michelangelo created his famous sculpture, all works of art depicting David had always included Goliath’s head. However, Michelangelo decided to entirely omit Goliath from the sculpture. Because we don’t see Goliath, it is thought that the statue depicts David just before the battle.

Despite many other artworks being created of David, Michelangelo’s is unique from the rest.

Where to see the Statue of David

The statue has changed locations a few times. When the statue was first completed in the early 1500s, it was placed in the entryway of Palazzo Vecchio. In the 1800s, a crack began to form on the statue’s surface, so it was moved to the Accademia Gallery for protection. Today, the statue still stands tall and proud in the impressive Accademia Gallery.

You can visit the Accademia Gallery on your own, or join a short, guided tour and learn all about the most famous works of art. This Accademia morning tour includes skip-the-line tickets to the gallery. After an informative tour from your knowledgeable guide, you can stay and marvel at the artwork as long as you’d like!

Other Interesting Facts About the Statue

You’ve learned why the Statue of David is so popular, but that’s not all! Here are three more interesting facts about the iconic statue.

1. It’s about as tall as an adult giraffe

You read that correctly. The Statue of David is very, very large. It stands 17 feet high, which is the height of an adult giraffe or a two-story building. Impressive!

2. 30 life-sized replicas can be found across the world

The first replica of the statue was placed at the entry to Palazzo Vecchio, where the original statue previously stood. Now, there are 30 life-sized replicas dotting the globe.

3. The marble was originally deemed unusable

Michelangelo wasn’t originally picked to create the Statue of David. In fact, an artist named Agostino di Duccio was first commissioned to create the masterpiece in the mid 1400s. Unfortunately this artist was inexperienced, and he picked out a blemished piece of marble that was ultimately deemed unusable. It then sat untouched for 35 years until Michelangelo worked his magic!