10 Facts About Michelangelo’s David

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9Michelangelo Was The Fourth Sculptor To Work On David

The slab was originally commissioned in 1464, worked on by Italian sculptor Agostino. After shaping just the legs, Agostino stopped working on the statue. Work was then resumed by Donatello and later Antonio Rossellino. After both artists ceased work on the block, it was left unattended for 26 years.

In 1500, the Operai began to search for an artist to complete the project on the marble slab, which had been nicknamed the ‘giant.’ Although other famous Renaissance artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci were considered, Michelangelo won the bid, completing David in 1504 at the age of 29.