8 Sep: Making Michelangelo’s David
Now celebrated as the most famous statue in the world, Michelangelo’s David was first unveiled in Florence’s Piazza della Signoria on 8th September, 1504.
Originally intended for the roofline of Florence’s cathedral, David’s immense size and weight—over five meters tall and weighing more than five and a half tons—was relocated to the square. But its creation had been a tale of perseverance: the marble block Michelangelo used had been rejected by other sculptors for 35 years.
In this episode The Retrospectors reveal that contemporary critics weren’t all awed by the masterpiece; explain why David was finally moved indoors; and compare Michelangelo’s temperament with that of his Teenage Ninja Turtle namesake…
This episode first aired in 2024