Michelangelo's David: Great Art Explained

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  • Опубліковано 18 тра 2024
  • Great Art Explained totally unique merchandise (including David t-shirts) available here - crowdmade.com/collections/gre...
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    "What a brilliant series this is" - Stephen Fry on Twitter 12 December 2020
    "Thoroughly researched and cleverly presented, with stunning visuals, Great Art Explained makes you realise that familiarity with a work of art sometimes makes us indifferent to its power" - Forbes Magazine, 9 July 2020
    I started "Great Art Explained" during lockdown. My aim is to make videos which focus on one great artwork. I want to present art in a jargon free, entertaining, clear and concise way with no gimmicks.
    Subscribe and click the bell icon to get more arts content. Each video takes me about three weeks to a month, so I download at least once a month:
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    Michelangelo was the first superstar artist. He was a sculptor, a painter, an architect, a poet and an engineer. An outsider touched by genius. His statue of David, the most famous statue in the world, personifies the aesthetics of High Renaissance art, the politics of Renaissance Florence, and the technical virtuosity of Greek sculpture.
    James Payne looks at the story of Michelangelo’s David, and discovers it is anything but the story of a teenage boy king who slew Goliath.
    CREDITS
    All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners and I or this channel does not claim any right over them.
    Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
    SUBTITLES
    Chinese Subtitles by Charles Xue
    米开朗基罗的《大卫》:杰作解析
    Arabic Subtitles: Head Ismael
    Greek Subtitles by Dimitris Grammenos
    BOOKS
    Michelangelo: His Epic Life - Martin Gayford
    Michelangelo: A Tormented Life - Antonio Forcellino
    From Marble to Flesh. The Biography of Michelangelo's David - Victor Coonin
    "Theme" music: JS Bach “Sonata for violin solo No.1 in G Minor”
    David, Accademia, Florence. Images are in the public domain.

КОМЕНТАРІ • 2,2 тис.

  • @GreatArtExplained
    @GreatArtExplained  2 роки тому +64

    Great Art David t-shirt available in my new merchandise - crowdmade.com/collections/greatartexplained

  • @alexanderkarayannis6425
    @alexanderkarayannis6425 2 роки тому +3852

    "I saw an angel inside the marble and I carved until I set him free".... Michelangelo

    • @alexanderkarayannis6425
      @alexanderkarayannis6425 2 роки тому +123

      The ever modest genius artist, who considered he did nothing more than remove the extraneous marble around the figure inside it, as it was only struggling to free itself from the physical constraints of the block it was trapped in...It is of course, also a metaphor of the flesh burdening the soul, and the eternal, endless struggle of man to free himself from his own physical constraints. Oh, he set David free alright, and, despite all his other numerous artistic achievements, he really outdid even himself with this, his most expressive, detailed, larger than life and monumental work...

    • @paxsmile
      @paxsmile 2 роки тому +29

      @@alexanderkarayannis6425 So many talented people always underestimate their value. It reminded me of the BeeGees after each show saying “we’ve fooled them again”.

    • @tylerwirkkala7311
      @tylerwirkkala7311 2 роки тому +23

      That’s the most bad ass quote

    • @juddotto3660
      @juddotto3660 2 роки тому +23

      I made an owl out of pasta once

    • @amberspecter8691
      @amberspecter8691 2 роки тому +2

      @@juddotto3660 I made a racoon once

  • @David-fl6ht
    @David-fl6ht 2 роки тому +1154

    I can't believe he did this at 26 what an insane amount of skill, I always imagined him working on his sculptures as some aged master who'd spent decades practising.

    • @Anne-pv9cb
      @Anne-pv9cb Рік тому +44

      26 wasn't young then, we have infantilized people.

    • @Yuyine_
      @Yuyine_ Рік тому +33

      @@Anne-pv9cb Not to mention people didn't spend as much time in theoretical education

    • @biglloyd5870
      @biglloyd5870 Рік тому +53

      @@Anne-pv9cb 26 is young man lived until 88

    • @Steven-ze2zk
      @Steven-ze2zk Рік тому +5

      By the age of 26 the great artist would have had plenty of experience. He was fully qualified by that age.

    • @jr6200
      @jr6200 Рік тому +5

      And the Pieta two years earlier..

  • @threedogsinatrenchcoat9968
    @threedogsinatrenchcoat9968 2 роки тому +540

    I love how Da Vinci and Michelangelo had a rivalry. It’s amazing how such brilliant minds could live at the same time.

    • @celesterosales8976
      @celesterosales8976 Рік тому +40

      And Rafael, not only same time but same general area! Definitely interesting!

    • @SoorajSuseelan10001
      @SoorajSuseelan10001 Рік тому +13

      @@celesterosales8976 because circumstances and situations make us do legendary things... That time and atmosphere there valued and practiced art... Which produced Michael Angelo and Da Vinci

    • @celesterosales8976
      @celesterosales8976 Рік тому +12

      @@SoorajSuseelan10001 thanks for this! On a more mundane level, your comment reminds me how important it is for me to surround myself with people and things that lift me up.

    • @FULLTIMEMUSIC444
      @FULLTIMEMUSIC444 Рік тому +10

      It blows my mind that one created the world's most famous portrait and other the world's most popular sculpture. They lived in the same era and were rivals

    • @brokenrecord3523
      @brokenrecord3523 9 місяців тому +1

      @@SoorajSuseelan10001 If culture selects a certain type of person to be great, what does that say about what we value now?

  • @vamsisaraswathula4663
    @vamsisaraswathula4663 2 роки тому +1183

    "He is an alchemist. He turned marble into flesh and bone." I cried when you said this.

    • @lotanowo
      @lotanowo 2 роки тому +8

      Yes, that was ingenious. Makes you understand what alchemy was all about.

    • @chase_9752
      @chase_9752 Рік тому +16

      I came

    • @RepentJC
      @RepentJC Рік тому +6

      For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?
      Mark 8:36‭-‬37
      Give your life to Jesus Christ and confess Him as your Lord and Savior and He will save your soul from damnation.

    • @chase_9752
      @chase_9752 Рік тому +36

      @@RepentJC Sir, This is a wendy's

    • @Steven-ze2zk
      @Steven-ze2zk Рік тому

      @@chase_9752 lol

  • @alanparana6899
    @alanparana6899 3 роки тому +1803

    To dive even deeper (and in line with a comment you made about the Mona Lisa) the most spectacular thing about David is when viewed from below as the natural viewer...David’s expression seems confident and sparked with the certainty of the future as he peers into the distance. It’s only when you get on his level and view him eye to eye..do you see the concern in his demeanor. A truly masterful piece

    • @jakestroll6518
      @jakestroll6518 2 роки тому +6

      Not to be rude buy micro-expressions are only be visible up close so of course the emotions wouldn't be apparent from a distant. It's not genius, it's just the natural consequence of carving a huge statue.

    • @alanparana6899
      @alanparana6899 2 роки тому +40

      @@jakestroll6518 it’s not the micro expressions, it’s the angle. Now you know

    • @arionswargari537
      @arionswargari537 2 роки тому

      @@jakestroll6518 in

    • @book-dy4bc
      @book-dy4bc 2 роки тому +2

      great analysis

    • @NoPrivateProperty
      @NoPrivateProperty Рік тому +1

      everything is temporary

  • @sangyacht2659
    @sangyacht2659 3 роки тому +1564

    I saw David up close when I went to Italy, it truly is a magnificent sight. The texture, the detail, the emotion that went into it is truly breathtaking

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  3 роки тому +99

      Up close, David is something amazing to see, that you’ll never see in a photo. I hope my film inspired you to go again! Thanks for watching.

    • @davido3026
      @davido3026 3 роки тому +1

      Michael angel made a mistake in the statue of David who knows where?

    • @carrisebear3499
      @carrisebear3499 3 роки тому +5

      It was glorious to see in person! Even the exact copy in the square doesn’t hold a candle to the real thing. And I saw the Sistine chapel after it was cleaned in 97. They thought he used more subtle colors (as evidenced by The Agony and the Ecstasy) but the cleaning revealed such vivid, saturated colors! A true master!!

    • @patriciahimawan
      @patriciahimawan 2 роки тому +6

      Same! I went with my high school trip, went for a day trip from Paris, just to go to florence just to see the david! I was so excited to see the david and when i saw that david from afar, right after entering the room, my god, i saw that the david was sooooo big! And when I see it closer, its insanely detailed! Not gonna lie, I was more surpised to see this than the mona lisa.

    • @justicehenrydamian475
      @justicehenrydamian475 2 роки тому

      @@patriciahimawan yeah, it's a statue, it's immense and it's harder to create than a painting as explained in d video

  • @lluviadai96
    @lluviadai96 3 роки тому +438

    You know David is a masterpiece when Leonardo Da Vinci is jealous of it and want to put it at a less prominent place (12:19 to 12: 27)

    • @judigemini178
      @judigemini178 Рік тому +32

      Lol that was such a petty salty move on LDV's part

    • @amberbali432
      @amberbali432 Рік тому +7

      he probably had other reasons to say so

    • @VoiceofAmhara
      @VoiceofAmhara Рік тому +19

      I never in my wildest dream thought that an intelligent man like Da'vinch envies others.

    • @aronbeast7
      @aronbeast7 Рік тому +1

      Hard to imagine Leonardo Da Vinci would be like jelly ass like Edison... Hope that it wasn't out of jealousy that he said that...

    • @kingzriot976
      @kingzriot976 Рік тому +7

      @@judigemini178 yeah he didn’t like Michel because Michel started throwing shade and even called him out in person when Leonardo tried to greet him. Leonardo tried being cool with Michel and Michel brushed him off and told him he could never finish anything.

  • @sschmidtevalue
    @sschmidtevalue 2 роки тому +361

    I was fortunate to see David in 2008. I have seen a lot of great art in museums and cathedrals, including the Pieta. I'd even seen two good copies of David. But I don't think anything took my breath away quite like the experience of seeing the original in its perfect form with the exquisite lighting.

    • @louismuller8724
      @louismuller8724 2 роки тому +11

      Merely to see the original statue justifies a trip to Europe.

    • @heidiankers108
      @heidiankers108 2 роки тому +12

      I have to agree. Like most wonders of the world, it has to be seen with one's own eyes. I had a Holy moment, to know that a fellow human, a man, sculpted this masterpiece. Standing there I had to re-evalute my ideas about a relationship with genius, what are 'God's gifts', are incarnate masters arriving , as did Mozart, fully-formed baby genius, I had to turn my mind to consider Angels, and Embodied saints, to alow for greater things than mortal existence, and I was right to let my mind thusly go; I have never been disappointed for letting His, Michealangelo's, David, sweep me out of my known small world.

    • @FABM27
      @FABM27 Рік тому +5

      Having travelled and living in Europe, have been fortunate to see many great works of art. But this was by the far the most breathtaking art work.

    • @cazzimmacazzimma1253
      @cazzimmacazzimma1253 11 місяців тому

      ...se guardi il "Cristo Velato" di Giuseppe Sammartino rimarrai ancora più sbalordito...👍

    • @giovannimoriggi5833
      @giovannimoriggi5833 11 місяців тому

      @@cazzimmacazzimma1253 …se VEDI il "Cristo Velato" vedi un capolavoro completamente diverso: un'epoca diversa, un'intenzione diversa, una scala diversa. Il David è un monumento, il Cristo non proprio.

  • @haltestelle793
    @haltestelle793 3 роки тому +1370

    I find it astounding that Michelangelo sculpted the Mary and Jesus when he was 24, and even more that he sculpted "David" at 26!!!

    • @caldoreo
      @caldoreo 3 роки тому +136

      What are we doing with our lives

    • @stefania5882
      @stefania5882 3 роки тому +106

      And I'm 28 and have done 🤔... I'll get back to you if I think of something

    • @shamaliwije4872
      @shamaliwije4872 2 роки тому +43

      Considering the life expectancy at the time, this would be a more mature stage of life than what we’d consider at present times.

    • @nannuky1128
      @nannuky1128 2 роки тому +91

      i mean, what else was he supposed to do than master his skill? there was no internet, no television, no radio, no newspapers, no books, no cars... we'd also accomplish great things if we weren't constantly wasting our time on temporary satisfaction

    • @TheMaryConway
      @TheMaryConway 2 роки тому +22

      He wasn’t playing video games!

  • @viktoriyarts
    @viktoriyarts 3 роки тому +746

    He was so ahead of his time, he created David as if he used a reference from the internet. x3

  • @bodawei425
    @bodawei425 Рік тому +75

    "He was buried at just a stone's throw away from his devine David". Simply brilliant way to conclude this great hommage to the master.

  • @nesho06
    @nesho06 2 роки тому +85

    I would add only how David's left arm was broken of into 3 pieces in the riots 1527, later reconstructed. Truly a marvel, went to Academia was looking for 20 minutes at the statue , went out started to go home - then I returned again because I just couldn't get enough of it, and stared some more.

  • @ernestavocado5522
    @ernestavocado5522 3 роки тому +545

    It's amazing how someone can take a block of marble and turn it into a life-like statue. That's true talent, dedication, and hard work.

    • @Armstrongsteve302
      @Armstrongsteve302 2 роки тому

      Hello, gorgeous...I stumbled upon your profile and noticed the beautiful smile on your face. You're charming lady of which every man that knows the heart of a woman must appreciate and welcome. I feel we should get to know each other. You must understand that I don't mean to be rude in any way nor come here to embarrass you but all I just want is to get to know you, don't know how you feel about this... hope you don't mind let me know what you think, love to get a positive reply from you🙏🙏🙏

    • @spiderjerusalem8505
      @spiderjerusalem8505 2 роки тому +14

      @@Armstrongsteve302, wtf

    • @PaulaZF
      @PaulaZF Рік тому +1

      Especially since the block of marble had had large sections of it removed by previous sculptors. Michelangelo had to create the design to accommodate that.

  • @joefreefire1664
    @joefreefire1664 3 роки тому +736

    "I know I'm ugly." Best line ever

  • @philippetremblay906
    @philippetremblay906 Рік тому +91

    A carpenter, Florence, 1542: "Magnifico! Que bello uomo!"
    A French noble on his way to Rome, 1699: "Quelle splendeur! Quelle perfection! Incroyable!!"
    A young Brit doing the traditional Grand Tour of Europe, 1867: "By Jove, an absolutely fantastic creation! Truly astounding!"
    Florida, 2023: "THE DAVID IS PORNOGRAPHIC!! YOU CANT SHOW THAT TO KIDS!!! ITS PORNNNNN!!"

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  Рік тому +8

      Sadly that’s the truth!

    • @philippetremblay906
      @philippetremblay906 Рік тому +12

      @@GreatArtExplained "I mean, can't you see how rock hard he is?"
      -Florida woman

    • @Sysiphusjwk
      @Sysiphusjwk 8 місяців тому +2

      Please, stop with the lies. Couldn’t be further from the truth.

  • @TheKoolbraider
    @TheKoolbraider 2 роки тому +82

    I have an art degree and thought I knew all about this statue. But this is the very first time I've seen David's face and expression. Many, many thanks.

  • @gallerina999
    @gallerina999 3 роки тому +2990

    James, you are outdoing yourself. What a magnificent video. More thoroughly explained than anything art history course I took at Yale. Bravo!

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  3 роки тому +125

      What a nice comment! Thanks so much!

    • @sajeevsamuelrose9486
      @sajeevsamuelrose9486 3 роки тому +1

      @@GreatArtExplained wq5

    • @charlesarchitect2202
      @charlesarchitect2202 3 роки тому +87

      I studied architecture and art history in college, and my professor was one of the authorities in the country. His class was one of the most popular in the university and watching your videos reminds me of that wonderful time. The quality of your work is beyond any expectations, even for old viewers. This is exactly the kind of content we need now, EDUCATIONAL, remind people what those before us did and how wonderful our world is thanks to the arts. Thank you!

    • @xavierjames9270
      @xavierjames9270 3 роки тому +9

      ..... magnificent..hardly know anyone in my personal life, that I would even appreciate ... let alone give feedback

    • @sk.shifatulislam7720
      @sk.shifatulislam7720 3 роки тому

      )mmHg D's razz hoy ni ba bank

  • @bluelionpuza206
    @bluelionpuza206 3 роки тому +524

    Finally, I understand why this statue is so famous. I never knew the story before.

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  3 роки тому +24

      Thanks for watching 🙏 please check out my other videos!

    • @anthonygifford9494
      @anthonygifford9494 2 роки тому +2

      Ha you’re doing better than I am, I thought da Vinci made David

  • @yunwahlam7456
    @yunwahlam7456 2 роки тому +61

    The problem with this channel is he made videos far more slowly than I watch them. I have finished all the videos and now have to rewatch them from the beginning. But they are still so good, after the second, third, tenth viewing. Still bring tears to my eyes and still make me watch thank him for everything he did for us.

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  2 роки тому +6

      Thanks so much for the support - it’s appreciated!

  • @mariacristinacunha3412
    @mariacristinacunha3412 Рік тому +22

    Seeing David at Accademia Galleria was such a breathtaking moment that brought me to tears. To me, the sensation was to be standing speechless in a very powerful presence. Amazing

  • @kazuhirala
    @kazuhirala 3 роки тому +1558

    Well I just discovered another binge worthy channel

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  3 роки тому +73

      Thanks for watching and commenting - usually I put out one film a month so enjoy!

    • @Marisolita06
      @Marisolita06 3 роки тому +7

      Me too!! 😊

    • @Barkingspider
      @Barkingspider 3 роки тому +8

      @@GreatArtExplained your channel is awesome!

    • @AnushHariharan
      @AnushHariharan 3 роки тому

      Jinx

    • @shivkumarpabba4089
      @shivkumarpabba4089 3 роки тому +2

      I entirely agree. And what a great job this video has done! Wouldn’t mind giving it another 15 minutes.

  • @psychokarloff
    @psychokarloff 3 роки тому +868

    Several months ago I read an absolutely frightening article in the New York Times, entitled ""David's Ankles." Apparently the marble (starting at the ankles)is starting to fracture internally, after centuries of standing under the enormous, crushing weight of the stone. According to the article, a vastly complex 3-D scan of the sculpture is in progress, so it can be "duplicated" before the imminent collapse of the statue. Art experts seem united in their fear that collapse is inevitable, but they have no idea when...but only the certainty that it will happen. They also say there is absolutely no way to halt this natural lifespan of such a monumental piece of sculpted rock, and any kind of invasive treatment would only make it worse. Horrifying that the Italian government keeps this under wraps and refuse to acknowledge in fear of losing tourism! And no, this isn't some freaky internet story - Google the NYT article. I pray I get to Italy someday soon to see this masterpiece.

    • @alveolate
      @alveolate 2 роки тому +28

      this too shall pass... at least we have the technology to get a good resolution 3D scan? and james' great commentary :)

    • @lucacavallin5308
      @lucacavallin5308 2 роки тому +64

      a perfect copy of the statue already exist, it is posed near to "palazzo vecchio", about the fractures, it's a known problem, experts know it since 1872, the situation is monitorate, David will be fine

    • @theccpisaparasite8813
      @theccpisaparasite8813 2 роки тому +57

      That's nonsense. Talk to some mechanical engineers. The weak point is obviously the legs. Internal support can be introduced into the legs from underneath the statue. Interesting story though. Moreover, the statue can be placed on an independently suspended platform to reduce micro-vibrations.

    • @nalla1782
      @nalla1782 2 роки тому +31

      I don't get why Italy would try to hide the fact that the statue is going to collapse. I feel like know that it might fall soon would only make me want to visit Italy to see it even more...

    • @theccpisaparasite8813
      @theccpisaparasite8813 2 роки тому +19

      @@nalla1782 it's really easy to see why Italy does not lead the world in technological innovation. Making a duplicate casting for display is the natural solution. Additionally, entoumbing the original in a heavy duty thick polycarbonate or aerogel suspending the statue in a non-load bearing (or distributed load) transparent encasement is a straightforward solution. This should keep it supported, protected, visible, and indefinitely secure. This is what happens when art curators or Italians are involved rather than engineers and materials scientists. Amateurs.

  • @MddMLarisa
    @MddMLarisa 2 роки тому +79

    I saw Michelangelo's David 3 weeks ago, after a few years of dreaming to see him. It felt like that was the pinnacle of my existence.
    Thank you for this beautiful video.

    • @PaulaZF
      @PaulaZF Рік тому +1

      I hope you were able to see the unfinished sculptures leading up to the David. They are so powerful even partially sculpted. You get to see the progress of Michelangelo’s process, as so aptly described in the video.

    • @MddMLarisa
      @MddMLarisa Рік тому

      @@PaulaZF I did, of course, after spending with David enough time. Love them all.

    • @lililililPitdinolilililil
      @lililililPitdinolilililil Рік тому

      Me too would have been a pinnacle conclusion theoretically if I could see a naked mature man in marble statue 🗿

    • @gowdsake7103
      @gowdsake7103 Рік тому

      WOW you dont have great aspirations

  • @caroleappling2007
    @caroleappling2007 2 роки тому +64

    To see David in person is overwhelming.The statue is stunningly beautiful. It took my breathe away. It’s hard to describe how it makes you feel.To say Michelangelo was a genius, in this time when the word is used so casually is an understatement. If ever given the chance it’s a must see!

  • @methylatedlysine
    @methylatedlysine 3 роки тому +234

    "just a stone's throw away from his divine David"

  • @ohmyblindman
    @ohmyblindman 3 роки тому +230

    I can remember being in Macy's in NY looking at a replica of David and not being able to take my eyes from his beautiful back, so much so that I got lost from my mother because I kept returning to look at it, I might have been nine or ten, and at 67 now is still a vivid memory to this day, and still a back man.

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  3 роки тому +21

      I should have put in some more back shots! Thanks for watching and commenting!

    • @davidmaheengun2672
      @davidmaheengun2672 3 роки тому +16

      For me, as a youngster, I was mesmerised by that abdomen. Now, at 60, David is still the highest ideal.

    • @murman6140
      @murman6140 2 роки тому +2

      Take a trip to Florence, go and visit him.

    • @heidiankers108
      @heidiankers108 2 роки тому +1

      Yes, the extrordinary beauty of the back. but then, the arms, the hand. and on..

  • @florenciabalori3625
    @florenciabalori3625 2 роки тому +24

    I've always considere sculpting as the moat difficult of fine arts, it will nevere entermy mind how it's even possible to do something like the David in one lifetime, let alone everything that Michelangelo did in his lifetime, simply mind blowing.

  • @chejo6095
    @chejo6095 2 роки тому +15

    THE FACT THAT HE MADE THE DAVID SCULPTURE AT 26 YEARS OLD WILL NEVER STOP TO AMAZE ME

  • @phyllissanfiorenzful
    @phyllissanfiorenzful 3 роки тому +487

    This fine video brought tears to my eyes.

  • @blavkout
    @blavkout 3 роки тому +200

    My guess is he spent most of his time viewing his own body and how the veins constricted and contracted in the body because he was so obsessed with the way that he looked so for him to be able to make a sculpture with such detail makes sense to me

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  3 роки тому +17

      I’m sure he did use his own body. Thanks for watching 🙏

    • @azmatbilall
      @azmatbilall 3 роки тому +28

      What I heard he would visit stone/marble quarries and study the bodies of the workers working there, as the work there was quite laborious and the workers had more athletic bodies. Thats why david's body has an athletic appearance, though not too bulky unlike a body builder.

    • @ivanbreckner8159
      @ivanbreckner8159 3 роки тому +25

      He actually was disowned from his family because he was sneaking into morgues and dissecting cadavers to observe different parts of the human body. He was quoted ones for saying “If only everyone knew how much time I spent doing this, they wouldn’t think it was that amazing”

    • @kalanachamath
      @kalanachamath 3 роки тому +1

      Yeah! I feel the same

    • @beverlyhayshouston2770
      @beverlyhayshouston2770 3 роки тому +2

      Artists observe everything.

  • @akanshayadav8699
    @akanshayadav8699 2 роки тому +40

    I was lucky enough to see this masterpiece in Florence. Needless to say I was totally mesmerized by it's beauty

  • @richardfrizell7418
    @richardfrizell7418 Рік тому +9

    When I saw the David for the first time, every hair on my arms stood straight up and I shivered. Such magnificence !!!!

  • @sunnyside9197
    @sunnyside9197 3 роки тому +169

    Started watching casually and ended up with goosebumps all over. This video itself is a masterpiece being narrated by an angel.

  • @jackwalter5030
    @jackwalter5030 3 роки тому +170

    The perfection of the male body. Sublime.

    • @Marco-gy3bk
      @Marco-gy3bk 3 роки тому +16

      Michelangelo was deeply in love with male body...that's why he represents it in most of his art.

    • @lorenzruiz4278
      @lorenzruiz4278 2 роки тому +3

      Smol pepe hahahaha 😂

    • @justicehenrydamian475
      @justicehenrydamian475 2 роки тому +5

      It was the veins for me
      Nigga sculpted the VEINS!!😭😭

    • @peterfowke7818
      @peterfowke7818 2 роки тому +1

      I think Michelangeo look like really Humour Male body brilliant art.

  • @PaulAirs
    @PaulAirs 2 роки тому +5

    14:43 - "Buried 'just a stone's throw away' from his divine David" made my day

  • @GreatArtExplained
    @GreatArtExplained  2 роки тому +58

    Please leave a comment (even a short one) and "like" the video. It really helps promote the channel on UA-cam. I appreciate it! James

    • @davepowell7168
      @davepowell7168 3 місяці тому

      Excellent work.
      In reality David would have used a fustibalis as weapon of choice as it would have been more stealthy ,the sling preloaded with the stone hanging behind his back before its silent delivery.
      Goliath didn't have a chance..

  • @MetemDee
    @MetemDee 3 роки тому +210

    You made Michelangelo sound like a God and I couldn’t be happier.

    • @spidee530
      @spidee530 3 роки тому +2

      😳 aint nobody comes close to God tho rt

    • @lilpp4791
      @lilpp4791 3 роки тому +1

      @@spidee530 its a joke

    • @xami926
      @xami926 2 роки тому

      @@spidee530 i do.

    • @billgreen576
      @billgreen576 2 роки тому +1

      Not a god but an incredibly talented human being who became that with hours and hours and hours of intense and obsessive hard work and practice, practice, practice. The bit that most of us fail to see in the successful.

  • @catrin1313
    @catrin1313 3 роки тому +415

    Superb storytelling..... at last I've got the hang of why David has been so important ! This is a beautifully put together video, informing and surprising. Manages both great detail and the broad sweep of history . Extraordinary !

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  3 роки тому +17

      Thanks so much - I appreciate you saying!!

    • @Armstrongsteve302
      @Armstrongsteve302 2 роки тому

      Hello Catrin you're looking Stunning...I stumbled upon your profile and noticed the beautiful smile on your face. You're charming lady of which every man that knows the heart of a woman must appreciate and welcome. I feel we should get to know each other. You must understand that I don't mean to be rude in any way nor come here to embarrass you but all I just want is to get to know you, don't know how you feel about this... hope you don't mind let me know what you think, love to get a positive reply from you🙏🙏🙏

    • @Songbirdstress
      @Songbirdstress Рік тому

      So true, these works are so ironic, it's some times hard to "get" the hype. I was lucky enough to meet the Venus de Milo all alone, our eyes met across the room- I wasn't expecting to see her there. It felt like she talked to me. was a magical experience.

  • @mrobin3009
    @mrobin3009 2 роки тому +43

    Thank you. Please keep bringing the understanding of art to amateurs, the meaning of which elevates our mind and soul, helps us see beyond, we have a need for it now more than ever.

  • @shedskin01
    @shedskin01 3 роки тому +14

    I have not seen David in person, but I have seen Pieta. What struck me the most was the complexity of emotions conveyed on Mary’s expression. I cannot describe the pain but also the stoic resignation in the greater purpose of her child’s death, her sense of duty for the task God had given her. Likewise now, and thanks to this video, I understand better the complexity of the emotions on David’s facial expressions, focus, confidence, perhaps some fear, but overall an intellectual sense of determination and faith. It’s hard to appreciate these qualities without seeing the work up close. And to me, beyond the anatomical perfection of his works, this is where the genius of Michelangelo lies, his ability to convey complex, deep and pure human emotions simply by carving a rock: Amazing!!!

    • @gaillouise8310
      @gaillouise8310 Рік тому

      Watch your commentary all the time and this was one of the best, thank-you.

  • @MindfulAttraction
    @MindfulAttraction 3 роки тому +1565

    Leonardo da Vinci definitely was a hater of Michelangelo 😂😂😂😂

    • @wcjerky
      @wcjerky 3 роки тому +377

      Likewise, Michelangelo hated Leonardo, or, at least, was critical of his work. Michelangelo was the much better sculptor; Leonardo was the inventive painter. Tragic is their strife towards each other; can we imagine what could have been created if they had resolved their differences and worked together?

    • @DarthQuietus
      @DarthQuietus 3 роки тому +248

      @@wcjerky They might've not been as amazing without an arch-rival!

    • @MindfulAttraction
      @MindfulAttraction 3 роки тому +186

      @@wcjerky the reason why Michelangelo hated Leonardo was because Leonardo was talking crap about marble sculpture. Which was ruining his business. at first Michelangelo respected him but then he stopped respecting him because he saw Leonardo was condescending. I think Leonardo was just jealous of his youth and genius

    • @MindfulAttraction
      @MindfulAttraction 3 роки тому +89

      At one point when Leonardo's Battle of angiari painting was destroyed, Michelangelo went over and expressed his condolences to him. He actually admired Leonardo

    • @dimitreze
      @dimitreze 3 роки тому +161

      @@wcjerky they did work together! against Shredder!

  • @JanDoe4234
    @JanDoe4234 3 роки тому +62

    I couldn't move my eyes for a second this essay was so enticing

  • @LucasStoten1
    @LucasStoten1 2 роки тому +37

    I can hardly imagine how inspiring it must have been to witness the unveiling of this piece.

  • @EllieBloo
    @EllieBloo 2 роки тому +15

    Pieta, David and Moses have to be the most beautiful sculptures I have been blessed to see. Awe inspiring.

  • @noahnipperus7320
    @noahnipperus7320 3 роки тому +63

    Bro; I'm not trying to blow upyrspt but: I just got an overview of stone sculpting, Renaissance geopolitics, anatomy/physiognomy, and art history. You are killing it James, thank you for making these

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  3 роки тому +4

      That is such a great comment - I really appreciate it! Thanks so much for watching Noah and that awesome comment 🙏

  • @yaven8338
    @yaven8338 3 роки тому +339

    "he was an alchemist, who turned marble into flesh and bone..."

  • @charliepea
    @charliepea Рік тому +8

    You can tell that the sculpture is made with 100% heart and care. From a flawed and cheap marble to a magnificent masterpiece with that subtle jugular vein, it shows Mikey is not taking his work lazily. The other Davids from other artists aren't as beautiful as this. Most cowabunga sculpture of all time.

  • @happyvalleyroses8145
    @happyvalleyroses8145 3 роки тому +9

    Michelangelo was divinely touched. There’s no way to explain such talent!!👏👏

  • @beafitze5909
    @beafitze5909 3 роки тому +69

    I’ve seen the replica in the Piazza della Signoria several times, and marvelled at the sculptures in the sculpture gallery. So much genius there! This video pointed out some things I’d never considered before, such as the reference to the “thinking man” of the Renaissance. I don’t remember learning about that tricky piece of marble Michelangelo had to work with, or that parts of the statue were once gilded. I’m fascinated all over again!

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  3 роки тому +4

      Glad I could show you some new information. Thanks for the comment and for watching!

  • @Bhadasstv
    @Bhadasstv 3 роки тому +10

    This video made me realise, its not just admiring a piece of stone
    Its the work of art, meticulous use of hands and mind, and dedication so intense that nothing remains impossible.

  • @mastluob2554
    @mastluob2554 2 роки тому +10

    Michelangelo was truly touched by God

  • @KL-qq1mu
    @KL-qq1mu 2 роки тому +15

    I don’t mind admitting that while I appreciate the skill that went into this masterpiece, it’s beauty, scale and accuracy, I could easily continue walking past it after a few minutes admiring it. HOWEVER!! The insight offered by this wonderfully thorough examination of the political, religious, psychological, and artistic context of the creation of this statue leave me dumbfounded. Being able to interpret the language of intent and design behind art is not easy or simple, but once you’re in on it, once you understand the what and why, it becomes the sublime, the genius, the beautiful, the passionate, and euphoric thing it was intended to be. You can feel it and all it’s glory, that raw expression of humanity, and be connected with it. That is the gift you have given with this video and that is to be applauded. Thank you! How amazing!

  • @nandinibhatt8065
    @nandinibhatt8065 3 роки тому +34

    The part where he describes how each vein was sculpted !!!!!!! Goosebumps literal goosebumps!

  • @carlabroderick5508
    @carlabroderick5508 3 роки тому +26

    Best documentary on David I’ve seen. This work is my first and greatest love for the male figure. Could bring me to tears. David’s soul emanates through his gaze. Icon of Judeochristian consciousness.

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  3 роки тому

      Thank you so much Carla for your comment! And thanks for watching - james

  • @bordaz1
    @bordaz1 Рік тому +8

    This is overwhelming, almost emotional for me....Michelangelo's age & dedication, the flawed state of the marble, the inherent dangers of sculpting, and then the result....the genius is far beyond me, both inspiring and humbling.

  • @francisleunggie
    @francisleunggie 2 роки тому +2

    I was in tears at the end of the video..

  • @PixPunxel
    @PixPunxel 3 роки тому +34

    You mention it as best sculpture ever made. I would surely say it is actually the best artwork ever made.

    • @anthonybeaulieu9820
      @anthonybeaulieu9820 2 роки тому +3

      Agreed, but for me Michaelangelo’s Pieta is a close tie.

  • @rogersurridge96
    @rogersurridge96 3 роки тому +72

    James Payne is an inspirational teacher, and his videos get better and better. I've never seen such a truly enlightening account of David, or of Michelangelo himself.

  • @yoonglescomfydumb0309
    @yoonglescomfydumb0309 2 роки тому +14

    I just realized my professor did injustice by not telling us the whole story and study about the David statue. How come i had to learn this on a youtube channel and not by majoring in fine arts in a certain uni? Man...I wasted my money on them. I SHOULD'VE GIVEN MY ENROLLMENT FEES TO THIS CHANNEL.

  • @rogerwright1168
    @rogerwright1168 2 роки тому +6

    I saw the statue 20 years ago and I was in absolute awe at it's beauty. After seeing this video, I am in even more awe at the sheer majesty of this statue.

  • @feelingveryattackedrn5750
    @feelingveryattackedrn5750 3 роки тому +28

    It would be astounding the precision he worked with something of that scale even if they had a complete scientific understanding of the human body back then, but especially knowing that he did it all simply by collecting his observations and experiences.... honestly if i lived back then I mightve thought that god spoke through him and his art 100%.

  • @bensirach3586
    @bensirach3586 3 роки тому +101

    When all the lockdowns are off, someday I'll travel to see David. Great video!

  • @arp_909
    @arp_909 2 роки тому +29

    Amazing. I’m not even particularly in to art but when I saw David on a trip to Florence it just blew me away, it’s magnificent and I just wasn’t prepared for the scale of it. Great video, I have an even deeper appreciation for David now

  • @EloanneCqra01
    @EloanneCqra01 2 роки тому +25

    I found your channel in my journey to start studying Art History and I'm amazed at how beautifully narrated and constructed are the videos. Each explanation brings forth the humanity of these wonderful artists that often are presented as distant geniuses. Your videos make me want to study the life and work of each one of them, get inspired by their methods and their dedication, absorbing it all into my own artistic path. Thank you so much for sharing your passion for art in such thoughtful videos.
    The only bad side is that now I want a series of documentaries about all great masters and all artworks in existence narrated and produced with your passion and quality. Dang it.

  • @TheUnchainedMind
    @TheUnchainedMind 3 роки тому +162

    Beautifully explained. This channel has a very bright future ahead of it.

  • @ilynpayne7491
    @ilynpayne7491 3 роки тому +66

    Such a gifted man he neither ate nor slept because he wanted his work finished

    • @jaybeegomez1172
      @jaybeegomez1172 3 роки тому +10

      dude that's what most people are doing in the corporate world. lol

    • @frenza6255
      @frenza6255 3 роки тому +3

      @@jaybeegomez1172 😂😂😂😂

  • @ulyssesshubeilat
    @ulyssesshubeilat Рік тому +1

    I've seen this beautiful sculpture once and it was mind blowing

  • @hoalanho
    @hoalanho Рік тому +8

    it's funny, that as a kid, it was the teenage mutant ninja turtles cartoon that introduced me to legends like Michelangelo.

  • @RJ-lk6qn
    @RJ-lk6qn 3 роки тому +26

    12:37 what a sight it must have been to see this colossal sculpture being rolled down the streets for four days

  • @10rahulsharma
    @10rahulsharma 3 роки тому +58

    The part about him being an alchemist who turned a block of marble into the embodiment of an empire is inspired. Very well made video that comes close to capturing the politics of David in addition to the technical mastery. Kudos!

  • @Jonimhoff
    @Jonimhoff Рік тому +11

    "just a stone's throw away" Amazing! - thank you so much for your dedicated work on these series, it's a real treat to revisit these works time and time again

  • @hawkeye943
    @hawkeye943 3 роки тому +11

    I got to see the Statue of David live. What an amazing site. I got told the story of the statue from a man from Florence. This statue was a symbol of the strength and virility of Florence. Most statues of David show him as small or frail to accentuate the difference in size of Goliath. The video was very well done. Great job!

  • @breathingart
    @breathingart 3 роки тому +54

    I was supposed to be there, to visit David last March.... and then Covid came... I'll visit David in years to come..

  • @lupenaakailea2886
    @lupenaakailea2886 3 роки тому +11

    Im a 2nd year student study Architectural technology, and for 2020 first assessment is to write a Journals about an artists. MichaelAngelo is one of my artists and I want to thank you for all the information you have provided in this video. This will help me to learn more about his beautiful work 💖

  • @rohithrnair8347
    @rohithrnair8347 2 роки тому +13

    I feel lucky to be alive in a time where such quality content is provided to us at our fingertips. We are grateful for all your efforts sir

  • @TheMRmatt007
    @TheMRmatt007 Рік тому +3

    I'm Italian and this beautiful video moved me to tears. Thank you.

  • @bicyclist2
    @bicyclist2 3 роки тому +7

    Thankfully I had the opportunity to see it in person in August 1990. With my girlfriend and her parents. Thank you.

  • @henrymonroe4300
    @henrymonroe4300 3 роки тому +15

    This truly is the greatest statue ever created

    • @Anthony-tr4lm
      @Anthony-tr4lm 2 роки тому

      Laocoon and sons? Pieta?

    • @henrymonroe4300
      @henrymonroe4300 2 роки тому

      @@Anthony-tr4lm im a huge fan of those of course but something about David really inspires me - its so triumphant while the pieta fills me with a kind of sadness for Mary

  • @NEMO-NEMO
    @NEMO-NEMO Рік тому +6

    It’s really a “loose your breath” moment when you come around the corner to that gallery and you begin to see the extraordinary lighting that the room takes on, even before you see the statue.
    The gift from God that MichealAngelo possessed was other worldly.
    I visited that gallery and the Medici home/prison next door.
    It is worth the trip to Florence..
    MA was the cash cow to his family. He supported them all.

  • @Eric1396
    @Eric1396 2 роки тому +10

    I've never really had interest in the famous sculptures and painting until I saw your videos. Just fascinating.

  • @leeirwin4851
    @leeirwin4851 3 роки тому +6

    Everything in Micalangelos David is of the right proportion and ballance. The relaxation and tension in muscles are even, down to how much blood were in the veins, this was a decade before mankind even knew such complex matters of the human anatomy, each half of Davids body work with each other to produce a master piece beyond compare.

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  3 роки тому +1

      Great comment! Thanks 🙏

    • @leeirwin4851
      @leeirwin4851 3 роки тому

      @@GreatArtExplained why thank you 🙂............you're videos are a masterpiece in their own right. GOD bless you my friend 🙏

  • @titancloud
    @titancloud 3 роки тому +666

    Nice eggplant to the face right up front, that’s high Renaissance

  • @everthcruz788
    @everthcruz788 2 роки тому +11

    A truly divine masterpiece David by Michelangelo and a fascinating explanation of great art by geniuses of the arts

  • @DarkForcesStudio
    @DarkForcesStudio Рік тому +2

    I've seen this work of art. It's breathtaking on multiple levels. Humanity is capable of great things. Never give up. x

  • @dbent1830
    @dbent1830 3 роки тому +38

    You gotta wonder what his Goliath would have looked like

    • @MVCvevasI
      @MVCvevasI 3 роки тому +4

      If only Leonardo would have been good at marble.

    • @TitaniumSeraph
      @TitaniumSeraph 3 роки тому

      I never thought of that. Wow.🤔✨

  • @ralph9398
    @ralph9398 3 роки тому +5

    brought a tear to my eye

  • @dakathulatris728
    @dakathulatris728 2 роки тому +7

    I could hear you talk about this sculpture all day! Thank you for your work!

  • @healthfitness7974
    @healthfitness7974 2 роки тому +1

    Seeing that block of marble... then seeing the finished product.
    Michelangelo was a God.

  • @riyagupta9065
    @riyagupta9065 3 роки тому +6

    If you got this in recommendation it means we're classy people

  • @ritikachakradhar7198
    @ritikachakradhar7198 3 роки тому +20

    This is literally the best art channel I've come across.

  • @stevie1166
    @stevie1166 2 роки тому +44

    I’m not enthusiastic about art usually but this was quite fascinating

  • @piccalillipit9211
    @piccalillipit9211 2 роки тому +19

    When UA-cam launched I said "What an idiotic idea - who on earth wants to watch other peoples crappy home video's??"
    I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE WRONG ABOUT ANYTHING - it is one of the great creations of mankind, this channel, Clickspring, Answers with Joe, and all the other truly incredibly channels... The creativity and capability of people out there. ASTONISHING.

  • @leticiafreitas747
    @leticiafreitas747 3 роки тому +5

    I'm from Brasil and your channel is a treasure I found. I've always liked this kind of art but never trully understood it and now I know there's much more beauty in it than we can see sometimes. Thanks for everything you teach in here.

  • @leeirwin4851
    @leeirwin4851 3 роки тому +69

    This guy was a genius. When i think of how much work and most of all patience had to be called upon to complete such a work makes me wonder if such men were really men at all. I ask myself how many people do i know that would be capable of producing such a feat, the answer is none. It would make more sense to my mind if he was not of thi world 🤣. I know it sounds crazy but i know not one that would be skilled and patient enough to complete such a task. Amazing is so many ways. I wish i was a billionaire ...........I would buy one of his unfinished works. The rest are priceless

    • @GreatArtExplained
      @GreatArtExplained  3 роки тому +3

      Yes he truly was a genius - thanks for watching Lee - and for the comment!

    • @almahperditae
      @almahperditae 3 роки тому +1

      Some scholars believe he was autistic. All the signs point to that.

  • @HeyoJimenez
    @HeyoJimenez Рік тому +2

    James, you too, are a wonder! Thanks for sharing this video to us.

  • @ronaldooliveira8771
    @ronaldooliveira8771 2 роки тому +4

    I'm literally in tears. What a beautiful sculpture.

  • @GoShiggyGo
    @GoShiggyGo 3 роки тому +20

    Can't believe the Statue of David is 17 feet!!! 5.17 meters!!!!

  • @2kiah431
    @2kiah431 3 роки тому +25

    what generous deed must i have done to discover this beautiful channel

  • @anudarib
    @anudarib 2 роки тому +2

    The way you presented and sheer enthusiasm and love for his art made me cry, what beautiful choice of words
    I see you are a master of your craft as well, thank you so much for enlightening us