Comparing Davids- "David" by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and "David" by Michelangelo

Both sculptures depict the biblical hero, David. Each work represents the time in which it was created. Bernini was a Baroque artist, and, as such, he created a dramatic David. Michelangelo was a Renaissance artist, and, so, his David is more calm. Bernini's David is in the midst of battle and about to kill Goliath, while Michelangelo's David is contemplative, ready for battle but not in the battle yet. Bernini's David has pursed lips, he is concentrating on the task at hand. Michelangelo's David has a tense face and alert eyes, he confident in his ability to fight. Bernini's David is in a dynamic pose, he stretches across space, getting the viewer involved in the events. Michelangelo's David is caught in a quiet moment, his twisted body suggests subtle movement. Michelangelo's David is reminiscent of High Classical Ancient Greek sculpture because he is nude, rendered in ideal proportions, and is standing in controposto (a position wherein the figure's weight rests on one foot), while Bernini's David is similar to Hellenistic Greek sculpture because of its dynamic pose and more expressive facial features. Both of the David's have ideal muscle tone, although Michelangelo's David is more muscular. An interesting detail in Bernini's David is that Bernini carved David's rope from the marble without keeping a piece of marble for support. Michelangelo, on the other hand, has a piece of support attached to his rope. This suggests that Bernini was more confident in his abilities than was Michelangelo. Most people view Michelangelo as the greatest sculptor in history, but even the great Michelangelo had occasional doubts about his abilities. Bernini is a famous Baroque artist, but not nearly as famous as Michelangelo. Michelangelo is a household name while Bernini is mostly known to those who study art. It is a shame that Bernini's art has become lost to the common person because he deserves recognition for his greatness. Both of these artists' Davids are incredible masterpieces, and, they are so different from one another that one cannot truly say one is better than the other.