David in Florence
Florentine Symbolism and the Davids
Lecture by Margaret Zaho
This lecture will examine the evolution of Florentine symbolism from its origins to Michelangelo’s David.
The biblical hero David was, by no means, Florence’s first choice as a self-referential symbol. Rather, it was arrived at through a process of artistic and civic exploration. Some of the earliest Florentine motifs included Saint John the Baptist, the heraldic Lion, and Judith and Holofernes. These early manifestations in Florentine symbolism proved relatively successful but fell short of encapsulating the complex nature of a truly Florentine identity.
The Florentines longed, it seems, for a single motif that could harness all that they believed about themselves; that they were favored and blessed by God, an underdog, powerful, righteous, traditional, and brimming over with potential for eternal greatness.
By the late 15th century the Old Testament figure of David, arrived at through an artistic evolution including works by Gaddi, Donatello, Castagno, and Verrocchio seems to have been accepted as the most capable motif to promote and project Florentine pride. Then, in the early 16th century, Michelangelo embraced and broke with the traditions established by all the earlier Davids to finally deliver the perfect symbol of Florence.
Ironically, even today as it is mercilessly commercialized, merchandized, and even tattooed, David still honours his original function.
Margaret Ann Zaho
Dr. Zaho is an Associate Professor of Art History at the University of Central Florida. She is currently in Florence researching 15th century painted altar frontals in the church of Santa Spirito. Her research interests include Florentine fresco cycles, triumphal imagery, and the use of new technologies in the protection of art as cultural heritage.
If you are in Florence and would like to attend the lecture in person at the British Institute Library, please register here or send an email to bif@britishinstitute.it
Please note, only people with confirmed registrations can attend the lecture in person. The registration fee is 10 Euro per person.
All participants are invited to wear a mask throughout the event.
To join this lecture with Zoom (no reservation necessary), simply click on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82017789796?pwd=UDFSM0I5VXdJaGExbkptOG50TlNyQT09at 18:00 on Wednesday 22nd June.