Coonin, Arnold Victor, author
Prato : B’Gruppo, 2014.
Added to CLICnet on 04/22/2015
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Part of the series Collana The Florentine Press;Florentine Press (Series)
Notes:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 245-258) and index.
- Prologue. The attack — Origins. Conception David’s first cousins: a prophet lost and a prophet found David’s second cousins: the large white man and the golden man David’s first parent: a little thief Birth at Fantiscritti The perilous journey home A new parent: the little redhead — Adolescence. Adoption Friends in high places: David’s godfathers Michelangelo’s two poems How to carve the David What was the David worth? David’s first unveiling A home for David Moving days Placing David on a pedestal The makeover — Maturity. A new Renaissance style Imperfect proportions A modest endowment David’s weapon The biblical David The civic and political David The bronze David An act of God David’s broken arm An unworthy companion — Midlife crisis. Critical fortunes and misfortunes David in peril The first commission to save the David The second commission The third commission and the dignity of the nation David’s new home: the Accademia Relocating the David A birthday party for Michaelangelo The tribune The Moor David The Third David — The golden years. David’s sexuality and censorship The David and homosexuality Michelangelo’s sexuality To preserve, protect and defend a masterpiece Will David collapse? Cloning the David through the 21st century and beyond — Epilogue. Who owns the David? — Notes — Bibliography — Index of names and places — Photo credits — Editor’s note — About the author.
- The story of Michelangelo’s David begins long before Michelangelo ever set chisel to stone. The gigantic block of Carrara marble that was to become the David was quarried more than half a century before anyone saw the statue set up in Florence’s piazza della Signoria. And in between, there’s a litany of contracts, artists and projects in different media while the patrons, the Operai del Duomo, searched for perfection, and finally got it from Michelangelo. The life of David takes unexpected turns in later centuries. It has been seriously damaged several times both intentionally and by accident. Controversies and scandals erupted in the 19th century as the statue was almost destroyed by cleaning with acid and then moved for safeguarding to the Accademia Gallery. In the 20th and 21st centuries he’s become an artistic and popular icon as well as a symbol of Italy. The story of David is rich in conflict, tension, controversy and cultural meaning. It is a very human story of a life-like work of art. Victor Coonin tells this story as a centuries-long biography that explains why David still resonates loudly with a contemporary audience. — Publisher’s website.
- Michelangelo’s David is the world s most famous statue, a universal symbol of Florence and of Italy. Hailed as the epitome of Renaissance art, the David has inspired contemporary artists from Warhol to Banksy and has been reproduced in life-size copies all over the globe. Why does a 500-year-old statue of a religious figure continue to resonate so deeply today? The answer lies in the captivating story of Michelangelo’s David. It is a tale rich in conflict, tension, controversy and cultural meaning. Author Victor Coonin tells this story not as ancient history but as a centuries-long biography right up to the present day. What started simply as a monumental block of Carrara marble took on new vigour in Michelangelo’s gifted hands. The statue is both life-like and larger than life: an embodiment of human accomplishment, of perfection, magnificence and beauty. The David has a life of his own, and this life succeeds in telling us something about ourselves. — Book cover.
- About the author. A. Victor Coonin is James F. Ruffin Chair of Art at Rhodes College. He has received fellowships and grants from the Mellon, Kress, and Fullbright foundations and has served on committees for the Fullbright, National Endowment for the Humanities, and College Art Association. Author of numerous articles and editor of 2 books, this is his first monograph. — Publisher’s website.
Subjects:
- Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1475-1564. David.
- Michelangelo Buonarroti, 1475-1564 — Influence.
- David, King of Israel — Art.
- Sculpture, Renaissance — Italy — Florence.
Requested by Kurpiers, R