4David By Bernini (Room II)

The story of David is among the most portrayed stories in art. Why? This is where it all began for religion. It is also a great story of victory over insurmountable odds.

Creating a David scene after Michelangelo creates the David is very difficult. Michelangelo did David after victory—relaxed and confident. Bernini decided to do David before the fight. Bernini creates a smaller version of David because he was small. He shows him in full strain, pulling back his sling-shot-like device to unleash hell, or maybe heaven, on Goliath. Make sure you take a look at David’s brow: The look on his face screams, “I hope I don’t miss.”