The sculpture of David by Gian Lorenzo Bernini was commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese. Bernini carved David at the age of 25 between 1623 and 1624. Today David is in the Galleria Borghese in Rome. According to Veronica White, from the Department of Art History and Archaeology in Columbia University, “Gian Lorenzo first trained in the Roman workshop of his father Pietro.” Based on Bernini’s biography, I would guess that David was created in Rome.
The sculpture of David by Bernini was definitely influenced by The Thirty Year War which went on from 1618 to 1648. I think that it was more influenced by The Council of Trent which actively met from 1545 to 1663. Since the Catholic Church had an urgency to reinvent Rome and keep the faithful within the church, they used art to defend their prestige and popes became patrons of art and architecture. During this time, they continued to hire the most talented artist like Bernini to work for them and create master pieces such as David to express innovation and power.
I really enjoy watching the expressions and the action that the sculpture of David by Bernini portrays. David looks alive and real which are some of the main characteristics of the Baroque era. When I look at David’s face, I see tension coming from his lips and eyebrows, as well as alertness, and concentration; he looks very serious as he is definitely facing Goliath and getting ready to defeat this giant. In addition, his body is very crossed and twisted; he looks almost like a Z to me. J Overall, I think that David by Bernini is a stunning piece of art and it shows David’s great faith and courage.
It is interesting to compare Michelangelo’s David with Bernini’s. In Michelangelo’s sculpture, David’s face looks calm as he is contemplating the situation. It appears as if David is saying to himself, “I got this!” Also, his body is straight and looks totally relaxed, whereas, Bernini’s is full of active expression. Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker from the Khan Academy mention that, Bernini shows us a more real David and less ideal than Michalangelo’s sculpture. Bernini shows that David is actively fighting Goliath with God’s help. Maybe this was the same way the church was feeling while battling against Luther. During the Baroque era, the path to God is more direct and more expressive, and that could also relate to the tormented position of the Church.
Here is a link to a video which shows a more detailed view of both sculptures! https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/monarchy-enlightenment/baroque-art1/baroque-italy/v/bernini-david-1623-24
Resources:
White, Veronica. “Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680).” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/bern/hd_bern.htm (October 2003) http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/bern/hd_bern.htm
Harris, Beth, Dr., and Steven Zucker, Dr. “Bernini, David.” Khan Academy. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 June 2016. <https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/monarchy-enlightenment/baroque-art1/baroque-italy/a/bernini-david>. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/monarchy-enlightenment/baroque-art1/baroque-italy/a/bernini-david
“Bernini’s David.” Rome.info. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 June 2016. http://www.rome.info/bernini/david/
Picture of Michelangelo’s and Bernini’s David https://www.google.com/search?q=david+by+bernini&newwindow=1&safe=active&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi6zY716arNAhVCKWMKHSNMDQkQ_AUICCgB&biw=1120&bih=623#imgrc=v3Gbr4RGbtPPSM%3A
Picture of Bernini’s David https://www.google.com/search?q=david+by+bernini&newwindow=1&safe=active&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi6zY716arNAhVCKWMKHSNMDQkQ_AUICCgB&biw=1120&bih=623#imgrc=UEQfTju8mD7tiM%3A
Picture of 3 different positions of David by Bernini https://www.google.com/search?q=david+by+bernini&newwindow=1&safe=active&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi6zY716arNAhVCKWMKHSNMDQkQ_AUICCgB&biw=1120&bih=623#imgrc=Uh6zPsfD2ln9uM%3A
Art Adventures 
I love this statue!! It looks even better in person than the pictures do it justice. If ever in Rome, I highly suggest visiting the Galleria Bhorgese as not only the statue is great, but all the different work they have acquired to form their exhibits is astounding. I prefer Bernini’s David as it offers a more unique stance for “David” than Michaelangelo did with his interpretation, which although is beautiful as well has less sophistication in the position. It amazed me how both artists were able to carve such detailed sculptures out of marble so long ago. Have you looked into other works of art by Bernini? – One of out classmates did a great blog post on Bernini’s work in Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome as well. The combination of painting, architecture, and sculpture really adds value to his abilities as an artist. The connection to the 30 years war is great- a lot of great artwork came from the Catholic Church’s reaction to the war trying to keep people in the church, which considering how devout Italy is to this day may have worked out to church leaders hopes!
LikeLike
https://waldemarowain.wordpress.com/2016/06/18/baroque-era/#comments
Here is a link to our classmates blog who had another of Bernini’s works.
LikeLike