Italian Renaissance Sculpture

The City of Florence, Italy symbolized itself with the Biblical figure of David who slew the giant Goliath despite his small stature and young age. David used a sling and stones to defeat Goliath. Many sculptures of David can be seen in Florence even today.

David. Donatello. c. 1440–1460 C.E. Bronze. Donatello’s David is only about five feet tall. Michelangelo's David is more than three times this size. His right hand holds the sword that he used to cut off Goliath's head, which we see below, resting on a victory wreath. The gruesome head seems to conflict with the sensuality and beauty of the young David. Classical contrapposto and bronze casting that until this moment, had not seen human-scaled bronze figures.

Ecstasy of Saint Teresa Ecstasy of Saint Teresa. Cornaro Chapel, Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria. Rome, Italy. Gian Lorenzo Bernini. c. 1647–1652 C.E. Marble (sculpture); stucco and gilt bronze (chapel).

Teresa of Ávila was a nun who lived in 16th century Spain, at the height of the Reformation.  She was canonized (made a saint by the Church) largely for the spiritual visions she experienced. A typical feature of Baroque art is to break down the barrier between the work and the viewer —to involve the viewer.

St. Teresa’s Vision Beside me, on the left, appeared an angel in bodily form.... He was not tall but short, and very beautiful; and his face was so aflame that he appeared to be one of the highest rank of angels, who seem to be all on fire.... In his hands I saw a great golden spear, and at the iron tip there appeared to be a point of fire. This he plunged into my heart several times so that it penetrated to my entrails. When he pulled it out I felt that he took them with it, and left me utterly consumed by the great love of God. The pain was so severe that it made me utter several moans. The sweetness caused by this intense pain is so extreme that one cannot possibly wish it to cease, nor is one's soul content with anything but God. This is not a physical but a spiritual pain, though the body has some share in it—even a considerable share.