David is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance sculpture in marble created from 1501 to 1504 by Michelangelo. With a height of 5.17 metres (17 ft 0 in), the David was not only the first colossal marble statue made in the High Renaissance, but also the first since classical antiquity, setting a precedent for the 16th century and beyond. David was originally commissioned as one of a series of statues of twelve prophets to be positioned along the roofline of the east end of Florence Cathedral, but was instead placed in the public square in front of the Palazzo della Signoria, the seat of civic government in Florence, where it was unveiled on 8 September 1504. In 1873, the statue was moved to the Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence.
Michelangelo's statue of David is unveiled in Florence
David is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance sculpture in marble created from 1501 to 1504 by Michelangelo.
Historical Significance
David is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance sculpture in marble created from 1501 to 1504 by Michelangelo.
Key People
Events Before
Casa de Contratación (House of Trade) established by the Crown of Castile in the port of Seville to deal with American a
Casa de Contratación (House of Trade) established by the Crown of Castile in the port of Seville to deal with American affairs
Disfida di Barletta - Famous challenge between 13 Italian and 13 French knights near Barletta, Southern Italy
The Challenge of Barletta (Italian: Disfida di Barletta) was a duel fought in the countryside of Trani, near Barletta, Southern Italy, on 13 February 1503, during the Third Italian War, on the plains...
Battle at Cerignalo: Spanish army under Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba defeats a French force led by Louis d'Armagnac, Duk
Battle at Cerignalo: Spanish army under Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba defeats a French force led by Louis d'Armagnac, Duke of Nemours
Queen Isabella of Spain bans violence against Indians in the Americas
Queen Isabella of Spain bans violence against Indians in the Americas
Portuguese hold a mass to celebrate the completion of Fort Manuel their first fort and the first European fort in India,
Portuguese hold a mass to celebrate the completion of Fort Manuel their first fort and the first European fort in India, at Cochin (Kochi)
Events After
7th Spanish India Armada of 21 ships led by Francisco de Almeida, departs Lisbon, aiming to establish a Portuguese Vicer
7th Spanish India Armada of 21 ships led by Francisco de Almeida, departs Lisbon, aiming to establish a Portuguese Viceroy in India
Jews are expelled from Orange Burgandy by Philibert of Luxembourg
Jews are expelled from Orange Burgandy by Philibert of Luxembourg
7th Spanish Armada plunders the trading island of Kilwa, on the Sawhili coast of Africa, erecting a fort and establishin
7th Spanish Armada plunders the trading island of Kilwa, on the Sawhili coast of Africa, erecting a fort and establishing a garrison
The 7th Portuguese Armada to India arrives at Mombasa Island, a major Arab trading port on the Swahili coast, and procee
The 7th Portuguese Armada to India arrives at Mombasa Island, a major Arab trading port on the Swahili coast, and proceeds to sack and plunder the city into submission
Mamluk Sultan Al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghuri sends an expedition of 1100 men to oppose Portuguese expansion in India and safe
Mamluk Sultan Al-Ashraf Qansuh al-Ghuri sends an expedition of 1100 men to oppose Portuguese expansion in India and safeguard passage to Mecca
More from the 1500s
Battle of Diu: Portuguese Armada defeats a Mamluk Egyptian fleet in a naval battle at the port of Diu, India, establish
Battle of Diu: Portuguese Armada defeats a Mamluk Egyptian fleet in a naval battle at the port of Diu, India, establishing Portuguese trading control in the Indian Ocean
Maximilian I is proclaimed Holy Roman Emperor, the first emperor in centuries not crowned by the Pope
Maximilian I (22 March 1459 – 12 January 1519) was King of the Romans from 1486 and Holy Roman Emperor from 1508 until his death in 1519.
Founder of the Safavid dynasty, Ismail I, is crowned Shah of Persia (rules till 1524)
Founder of the Safavid dynasty, Ismail I, is crowned Shah of Persia (rules till 1524)
The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid in the Vatican by Pope Julius II
The cornerstone of the current St. Peter's Basilica is laid in the Vatican by Pope Julius II
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on September 8, 1504?
- David is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance sculpture in marble created from 1501 to 1504 by Michelangelo. With a height of 5.17 metres (17 ft 0 in), the David was not only the first colossal marble statue made in the High Renaissance, but also the first since classical antiquity, setting a precedent for the 16th century and beyond. David was originally commissioned as one of a series of statues of twelve prophets to be positioned along the roofline of the east end of Florence Cathedral, but was instead placed in the public square in front of the Palazzo della Signoria, the seat of civic government in Florence, where it was unveiled on 8 September 1504.
- Why is Michelangelo's statue of David is unveiled in Florence significant?
- David is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance sculpture in marble created from 1501 to 1504 by Michelangelo.
- Who was involved in Michelangelo's statue of David is unveiled in Florence?
- Key figures include Michelangelo (artist and architect).