4David’s Statue Was Influenced By Ancient Classical Sculptures

David perfectly embodies the rejuvenation of ancient Greco-Roman art and culture in 15th century Florence. Based on monumental statues from the Classical and Hellenistic periods, his naturalistic, idealized body harkens back to the Apollonian youth male in many ways.

He also stands in the archetypal classical contrapposto, with his weight shifted to the side and his hip protruding. It has also been said that David is meant to depict Hercules, a hero who has been closely linked with Florence and had appeared on the Florentine seal.