Representing David: a brief introduction to Florentine Renaissance Sculpture from Donatello to Michelangelo
This course will take the case study of four statues of David produced in Florence during the Renaissance by Donatello, Verrocchio and Michelangelo, to chart the developments in sculpture at this time.
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While painting is often the focus of art history, sculpture has played an equally important role. Throughout the Renaissance Florentine artists used sculpture to portray the biblical hero David, who held added importance as the city’s civic hero. These sculptures offer the chance to see how artists engaged with the challenges of representing a victorious youth in the difficult media of bronze and marble, that was to be seen in the round.
During the Renaissance artists forged their inspiration from antiquity with a desire to develop art to push the boundaries of sculpture creating new ways of expression. Through such innovation of technique, they introduced sculptural types not seen since ancient times such as Donatello’s David, a life-size bronze in the round, and Michelangelo’s marble colossal statue of David.
This course will take the case study of four statues of David produced in Florence during the Renaissance by Donatello, Verrocchio and Michelangelo, to chart the developments in sculpture at this time. Through considering how each sculptor chooses to portray David and the changing display of these sculptures, in some cases sold from the powerful Medici family to the Republic or moved from the Duomo to be displayed outside the Palazzo della Signoria, will provide an insight into its significance as both a civic and religious figure. Close study of these sculptures will also explore their legacy for later sculpture.
What will we cover?
• The role of sculpture in civic, domestic and religious settings in Renaissance Florence
• The techniques of bronze casting and sculpting in marble
• The Imagery of David in Renaissance Florence
• The role of sculpture in Florence in relation to art and architecture
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
· Describe symbolism related to David
· Understand how viewpoint affects how a sculpture is made
· Identify antique sources
· Discuss the importance of where a sculpture is displayed
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You will be invited to take part in group discussion
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations, activities and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.
Bryony Bartlett-Rawlings gained her MA and PhD at the Courtauld Institute of Art, where she specialised in early print culture. She has worked as Assistant Curator of Paintings and Drawings and Assistant Curator of Engraved Ornament at the V&A, Print Room Assistant at the Courtauld Institute and the Image Researcher for the revised edition of Taste and the Antique. She has lectured at the V&A, Courtauld Institute, and University of Buckingham, and published extensively on the graphic arts. Her co-edited volume of essays Placing Prints was published in 2025.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/representing-david-a-brief-introduction-to-florentine-renaissance-sculpture-from-donatello-to-michelangelo2748638Representing David: a brief introduction to Florentine Renaissance Sculpture from Donatello to Michelangelohttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/r/e/repres_1.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Early modern world/Courses/vm/Great Works/Courses/vm/Courses under £69228511361177188919611355112285117711361653<p>This course will take the case study of four statues of David produced in Florence during the Renaissance by Donatello, Verrocchio and Michelangelo, to chart the developments in sculpture at this time.</p>003036520Representing David: a brief introduction to Florentine Renaissance Sculpture from Donatello to Michelangelo7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/r/e/repres_1_2.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-09-25T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allSep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB2757979Representing David: a brief introduction to Florentine Renaissance Sculpture from Donatello to Michelangelo635179Bryony Bartlett-Rawlingsrepresenting-david-a-brief-introduction-to-florentine-renaissance-sculpture-from-donatello-to-michelangelo/vb275-2627<p>This course will take the case study of four statues of David produced in Florence during the Renaissance by Donatello, Verrocchio and Michelangelo, to chart the developments in sculpture at this time.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-25 00:00:00<p>While painting is often the focus of art history, sculpture has played an equally important role. Throughout the Renaissance Florentine artists used sculpture to portray the biblical hero David, who held added importance as the city’s civic hero. These sculptures offer the chance to see how artists engaged with the challenges of representing a victorious youth in the difficult media of bronze and marble, that was to be seen in the round.</p><p>During the Renaissance artists forged their inspiration from antiquity with a desire to develop art to push the boundaries of sculpture creating new ways of expression. Through such innovation of technique, they introduced sculptural types not seen since ancient times such as Donatello’s David, a life-size bronze in the round, and Michelangelo’s marble colossal statue of David.</p><p>This course will take the case study of four statues of David produced in Florence during the Renaissance by Donatello, Verrocchio and Michelangelo, to chart the developments in sculpture at this time. Through considering how each sculptor chooses to portray David and the changing display of these sculptures, in some cases sold from the powerful Medici family to the Republic or moved from the Duomo to be displayed outside the Palazzo della Signoria, will provide an insight into its significance as both a civic and religious figure. Close study of these sculptures will also explore their legacy for later sculpture.</p><p>This course will take the case study of four statues of David produced in Florence during the Renaissance by Donatello, Verrocchio and Michelangelo, to chart the developments in sculpture at this time.</p><p>• The role of sculpture in civic, domestic and religious settings in Renaissance Florence</p><p>• The techniques of bronze casting and sculpting in marble</p><p>• The Imagery of David in Renaissance Florence</p><p>• The role of sculpture in Florence in relation to art and architecture</p><p>· Describe symbolism related to David</p><p>· Understand how viewpoint affects how a sculpture is made</p><p>· Identify antique sources</p><p>· Discuss the importance of where a sculpture is displayed</p><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You will be invited to take part in group discussion</p><p>You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations, activities and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.</p><p>Introduction to the Italian Renaissance</p>Art historyEarly modern worldvirtual637951VB275NONEFri25/09/26 - 02/10/2610:45 - 13:1510:4513:152 sessions (over 2 weeks)21 to 4 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetBryony Bartlett-RawlingsBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-09-25T00:00:00+00:00Sep 2026Culture, history & humanities7979Representing David: a brief introduction to Florentine Renaissance Sculpture from Donatello to Michelangelorepresenting-david-a-brief-introduction-to-florentine-renaissance-sculpture-from-donatello-to-michelangelo/vb275-2627<p>This course will take the case study of four statues of David produced in Florence during the Renaissance by Donatello, Verrocchio and Michelangelo, to chart the developments in sculpture at this time.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-25 00:00:00<p>While painting is often the focus of art history, sculpture has played an equally important role. Throughout the Renaissance Florentine artists used sculpture to portray the biblical hero David, who held added importance as the city’s civic hero. These sculptures offer the chance to see how artists engaged with the challenges of representing a victorious youth in the difficult media of bronze and marble, that was to be seen in the round.</p><p>During the Renaissance artists forged their inspiration from antiquity with a desire to develop art to push the boundaries of sculpture creating new ways of expression. Through such innovation of technique, they introduced sculptural types not seen since ancient times such as Donatello’s David, a life-size bronze in the round, and Michelangelo’s marble colossal statue of David.</p><p>This course will take the case study of four statues of David produced in Florence during the Renaissance by Donatello, Verrocchio and Michelangelo, to chart the developments in sculpture at this time. Through considering how each sculptor chooses to portray David and the changing display of these sculptures, in some cases sold from the powerful Medici family to the Republic or moved from the Duomo to be displayed outside the Palazzo della Signoria, will provide an insight into its significance as both a civic and religious figure. Close study of these sculptures will also explore their legacy for later sculpture.</p><p>This course will take the case study of four statues of David produced in Florence during the Renaissance by Donatello, Verrocchio and Michelangelo, to chart the developments in sculpture at this time.</p><p>• The role of sculpture in civic, domestic and religious settings in Renaissance Florence</p><p>• The techniques of bronze casting and sculpting in marble</p><p>• The Imagery of David in Renaissance Florence</p><p>• The role of sculpture in Florence in relation to art and architecture</p><p>· Describe symbolism related to David</p><p>· Understand how viewpoint affects how a sculpture is made</p><p>· Identify antique sources</p><p>· Discuss the importance of where a sculpture is displayed</p><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You will be invited to take part in group discussion</p><p>You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations, activities and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.</p><p>Introduction to the Italian Renaissance</p>Art historyEarly modern worldconfigurable
18891136Early modern worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/early-modern-world1/2/285/1177/1136/18891/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Early modern world
