How to Read Art: David by Michelangelo

The most famous statue in the world still has the power to inspire

Christopher P Jones is the author of How to Read Paintings, an introduction to some of the most fascinating artworks in art history.

David (1501–1504) by Michelangelo. Marble. 517 × 199 cm. Galleria dell’Accademia, Florence, Italy. Image source Wikimedia Commons

What tends to strike viewers when they first see Michelangelo’s David is its size: it stands at over 5 metres from top to bottom…