David
Marble, by Michelangelo, 1501–04
Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence
Photograph by MCN, 1997

The statue of the Biblical hero stands approximately 17 feet tall (c. 5 m.), and he is portrayed naked, his expression tense with a slingshot resting over his left shoulder and his gaze focused intently on his opponent, Goliath. The sculpture is celebrated for its exceptional artistic skill, particularly in its detailed anatomy and the dynamic pose of the figure. It was originally commissioned as one of a series of sculptures to adorn the roofline of the Florence Cathedral, but due to its remarkable quality, it was instead placed in the public square outside the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy. It is now housed in the Accademia Gallery, and is one of the most visited sculptures in the world.