Research 

and Activity
NAME:Kyla Joy A. Serrano
Course  / year/ section:__BEED1A____

1. Compare and contrast David by Dontello and David by Michelangelo?

ANSWER:1During the 15th century, a very strong movement took place called the Renaissance, literally
meaning rebirth, and for good reason considering the incredible amount of new and amazing things that
were created during this time, ranging from advanced in all areas of science, philosophy, opinions of
government, talented artists and brand new art techniques and pieces. Two pieces in particular by two
of the most famous artists during the Renaissance, David by Donatello and David by Michelangelo, help
show just how diverse and varied art during the Renaissance was, with great differences in emotion,
posture, attitude and composition that made both very unique works even though they were of the
same model. Similar to Greek sculpted art.One of the very first differences noticed is that David is
portrayed with almost no edges at all, instead being depicted very in a very languid and undulating form,
having the proportions and sensuous beauty of the gods of Praxiteles (Kleiner 456). Compared to
Michelangelo's, his form is quite relaxed as we can tell from the way his arm is towards him and wrist
bent outward at the him. Not only does this serve to symbolize a very soft and less masculine type of lax
attitude, it also shows the ease with which he defeated goliath with, literally without any fear, and a
definite air of arrogance that calls for attention from the viewer (Klein 456). Something else which
catches the eye is the presence of the goliath's head beneath the boot of David, letting us know that the
battle has been won and this is the posture of a young and weak boy who has triumphed against his foe,
albeit a rather apparent ease and lack of struggle. Both these are very starkly contrasted from
Michelangelo's which shows a fair amount of fear and anxiety of the looming battle. While
Michelangelo's David contains strong and primed energy, Donatello's is completely devoid of energy,
instead choosing to filling the gap with a large and obvious pompous air of victory over goliath. Each
piece greatly employs humanism but with their own styles and feel.
2.It has been said that Donatello portrayed David like a girl. Point out aspects in the sculpture proving
criticism.
ANSWER: Donatello's David is extremely realistic and a prime example of Renaissance naturalism. His
body appears lithe as he stands with one foot atop Goliath's decapitated head. His small frame and
almost effeminate disposition imply that his victory is due to God's assistance.
3.The subject of Donatello’s is David who defeated Goliath in the Old Testament of the Bible. Why do
you think Donatello portrayed David like a girl?

ANSWERS: Appraising the sculpture today, one gets the impression that there is a bond
beyond violence between the victorious and conquered. The suggestive nature of the sculpture
seems to hint that David may have defeated Goliath through seduction. (Indeed, Donatello’s later
sculpture of the Israelite heroine Judith with the head of Holofernes is often compared to this
David.) One of the wings of Goliath’s helmet seems to be climbing up David’s leg, sensually
caressing his inner thigh. While this ornament would have been useful in hiding some support
work, Donatello was also playing a formal trick: In its original display on a high pedestal in the
courtyard of the Medici’s Palazzo Vecchio, onlookers would have peered up at the sculpture, the
feather leading the eye to its behind. Curiously, Goliath’s helmet also shows a relief of cupids
pulling a chariot in which another cupid is riding, an illustration of the “Triumph of Love” .
.4.One criticism concerning David by Michelangelo is that does not have proportion. The upper  part of
the body is bigger than the lower part. Why is this so?

ANSWER: Michelangelo was asked by the consuls of the Board to complete an unfinished project
begun in 1464 by Agostino di Duccio and later carried on by Antonio Rossellino in 1475. Both
sculptors had in the end rejected an enormous block of marble due to the presence of too many
“taroli”, or imperfections, which may have threatened the stability of such a huge statue. This
block of marble of exceptional dimensions remained therefore neglected for 25 years, lying
within the courtyard of the Opera del Duomo (Vestry Board).
5.What is contrapposto? How is it shown in the statue of David by Michelangelo?
ANSWER:5. Contrapposto, (Italian: “opposite”), in the visual arts, a sculptural scheme, originated by the
ancient Greeks, in which the standing human figure is poised such that the weight rests on one leg
(called the engaged leg), freeing the other leg, which is bent at the knee.He stands relaxed, but alert,
resting on a classical pose known as contrapposto. The figure stands with one leg holding its full weight
and the other leg forward, causing the figure's hips and shoulders to rest at opposing angles, giving a
slight s-curve to the entire torso.
6.Compare and contrast the posture of Adam and God in Creation of Adam?
ANSWER: Unlike the figure of God, who is outstretched and aloft, Adam is depicted as a lounging
figure who rather lackadaisically responds to God’s imminent touch. This touch will not only
give life to Adam, but will give life to all mankind. It is, therefore, the birth of the human race.
Adam’s body forms a concave shape which echoes the form of God’s body, which is in a convex
posture inside the nebulous, floating form. This correspondence of one form to the other seems
to underscore the larger idea of Man corresponding to God; that is, it seems to reflect the idea
that Man has been created in the image and likeness of God – an idea with which Michelangelo
had to have been familiar
7.Describe the  perspective used by Da Vinci in the Last Supper.
ANSWER:Leonardo used one point perspective, which involves all the lines in the painting converging in
one place, known as the vanishing point. This strategy was used to emphasize the importance and
central position of Christ. The lines all converge in his right eye, drawing the viewers gaze to this place.
8.What are some controversies surrounding Da Vinci’s Last Supper?
ANSWER:Some have identified the person to Jesus' right not as John the Apostle, but a woman, often
purported to be Mary Magdalene. It has also been suggested that there is no cup in the painting, yet
Jesus' left hand is pointing to the Eucharist and his right to a glass of wine
9.According to Critics, Mona Lisa seems to be in two places at the same time. How is this Shown in the
Painting?Explain.

ANSWER: Mona Lisa, also called Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo,
Italian La Gioconda, or French La Joconde, oil painting on a popular wood panel by Leonardo
Da Vinci probably the world’s most famous painting. It was painted sometime between 1503 and
1519, when Leonardo was living in Florence and it now hangs in the Louvere museum, Paris,
where it remained an object of pilgrimage in the 21st century. The sitter’s mysterious smile and
her unproven identity have made the painting a source of ongoing investigation and
fascination.10. What is sfumato technique? How is this shown in Mona Lisa? 
ANSWER:sfumato, which translated literally from Italian means "vanished or evaporated." Creating
imperceptible transitions between light and shade, and sometimes between colors, he blended
everything "without borders, in the manner of smoke," his brush strokes so subtle as to be invisible to
the naked eye.