El David Reviews

There is enough art in florence to make anyone tap out! But for all the art, either mainstream or otherwise we saw, the David stood out. Massive, impressing, and simply a need to see before you die. Do what it takes to make your way there!

Wonderful David. Nice and well organized museum. Endless triptychs and shovels. Nice nice nice

What an imposing sculpture! We took neither the guide nor the audio guide. We sat down to one side and read the Wikipedia page. Probably considered to be the most beautiful sculpture on the planet. A pity that all the other sculptures and paintings in the museum are overshadowed by the main attraction but I think it's normal .

I'd like to know which idiot wouldn't give David 5 stars ...

Truly beautiful work of art, able to be appreciated even by those unfamiliar with the history of art and the history of Michelangelo. Just sit back and admire it. I was there for 10 minutes. In religious silence.

Totally worth a visit and the time admiring this masterpiece

This 4th visit also thrilled me as the first time .....

The statue is beautiful. The museum is interesting to see. The queues are agile, although if you buy it online that you save.

Michelangelo's David carved from a block of marble is considered the most famous work in art history. Copies of it can also be found all over the world, some in small format or as figures for terraces and gardens. These are mostly made of less material. A large figure based on Michelangelo's David was created by the concept artist Hans - Peter Feldmann, who has stood in Kant-Park in front of the Lehmbrucker Museum in Duisburg since 2010. In terms of aesthetics, however, it cannot compete with Michelangelo's work, and the blonde color of the head and pubic hair seems rather out of place.
Michelangelo's original is 5.17 m high and is in the Galleria dell'Academia in Florence. It is a representation of the biblical David, the slingshot slung over his left shoulder, ready to fight the giant Goliath. The right hand encloses the projectile.
Before Michelangelo, other sculptors had already taken up the David as a motif, such as Donatello and Verocchio, but also the painter Andrea del Castagna. What they have in common is that they portrayed David after a successful fight with the giant's severed head. Michelangelo, on the other hand, chose David, who was preparing for battle.
Michelangelo's work shows a David, whose elegantly designed physique reveals the tension of the impending event, muscles and tendons in tension, looking into the distance. It is the flawlessness that gives the work its aura, allows it to be perceived as an aesthetic specialty.
It was a commissioned work that the artist was asked for by the dominant "Arte Della Lana" of the wool weavers' guild in 1501. It should be an impressive work.
Other sculptors, who had been commissioned in advance, stopped this work at an early stage and left the Carrara marble block only roughly carved.
In 1504 the sculpture found its location in the square in front of the Palazzo Vecchio. When the return of the Medici family, who had been exiled from the city, was subject to serious physical abuse, the left arm of the sculpture was hit by a bench and fell to pieces when the projectile flew out of a window in the palazzo. The young architect Giorgio Vasari, who was in the service of the Medici, fortunately collected the fragments. In 1543 Cosimo I de 'Medici had the David restored using the fragments.
In 1873 the sculpture came to the Florentine Accademia, in a domed room specially built for it, as the marble had suffered in the open air over the centuries. In 1910 a marble copy was placed in its original place in front of the Palazzo Vecchio.
The work created by Michelangelo had thus undergone a series of attacks, which, however, can no longer be identified in its current appearance. The figure presents itself sublime and full of charisma.

The main reason we went here was to see David but There are lots of interesting paintings and sculptures to enjoy however, it s very busy!

Nice but the other sculptures should get more attention

We reserved tickets over a month in advance. For the 0815 - 0830 viewing of David. When we went to verify our reservation the clerk didn't try to understand or help at all. She just said come back tomorrow or get a refund. I pressed the matter and she changed her story and said she would print tickets and that we would have to wait until 0945 to get in because the museum had a staff meeting. WHY DIDNT SHE SAY THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE? Instead she just tried to send us away. So we got our tickets and began the 90 min wait. I spoke with a line guard and he actually said, "What, you don't have staff meetings in the USA?" Wow, to which I replied, "In the USA we have a thing called customer service. We respect customers, we have staff meetings outside business hours." He had nothing to say. The David is a must see but beware of the unreliable museum policies and staff. I usually don't write reviews let alone this long of a review, but I am still waiting in line right now lol.

PS - this is the USA bashing guard.

Not only the sculpture David by Michelangelo, but also the artist's unfinished sculptures known as "Slaves" - Prigionieri.

Really hard to see the academia without having to wait to be entered. I booked ahead of time and I still had to wait more than 30 minutes to enter. The non booked line was worse, that line stretched for miles on a cold and raining day. My suggestion still book ahead, even if you'll be waiting. Also its jam packed, expect to pushed, so hold on tight to your feet and belongings, when seeing David.

Excellent historical place. Tickets in line 30min 12 euros

I love it * - * in my opinion as a "student" it is AMAZING! and love this sculpture of David * - *

Breathtaking, but book reserved tickets and avoid hours wait.

We tasted the first, ate the main courses, the 82,83,84 salads and the pizzas ... tasteful cuisine, nice and professional staff, acceptable prices. We have returned.

Magnificent statute of Michelangelo, gigantic and proportional, the details are just incredible.
A disappointment however, I took the audioguide offered at the museum specifically to have an explanation of this sculpture, but the David did not have a dedicated commentary.

As history says, it is probably the most beautiful work ever made by man, but the queue to enter the academy is crazy

David is great and of course very well attended. The rest of the museum, however, is overflown by most. Very repetitive.

It's truly a masterpiece and different to any other sculpture I've seen. There are crowds but the brilliantly sculptured David and the designed sky light still make the viewing enjoyable. If you don't care for art, you will still be able to recognise the genius this is although the rest of the museum is small and might not make your entrance fee worth it. Personally, it's not a must see but if you have the time, worth seeing as well if the queue is not too long.

Sensational sculpture. But know that the rest of the displays are playing 2nd fiddle and you will realistically be in and out in 20mins

An impressive and well developed statue. We recognize the great genius of Michelangelo in the proportions and the rigor of the anatomy.

The museum is interesting is the work David is in the spotlight.

waited 3hrs to get inside. the book shop or plaster statue room is more interesting than the statue. did not seem special in any way. recommend booking online.

We went in December and I didn't feel rushed or anything. Fair amount of people taking pictures and selfies, but it was not overwhelming like some places (like Rome).

If you love art just to see the David, it's worth it.

Fabulous works of art, I liked that they had many ways of learning about the art.

From before arriving in Florence, my partner told me that if or what we have to see in Florence is David. I left for the last moment but I assure you that THE PENALTY IS VALID.
You pay 12 the entrance and you see one of the most representative and splendid works of art in the world, if you are in Florence DON'T MISS IT.
And go early because it opens at 8:15 and I assure you that long before you will find a very long line

Amazing to see David, the museum is small but beautiful. Worth the hour long wait and 12 entrance fee to stand in front of the MUCH larger than life David. Incredible!!

Seeing is believing and enjoying this masterpiece in silence

The one must see in Florence... My highlight of all that I saw in Florence.

A must see; looks alive, feels alive. You can stare at it for a long while just thinking about how one can create such a beauty without being God himself.

Probably you have seen this sculpture in school books or in some TV Show or movie so I don't need to introduce to one of most known Michelangelo's masterpiece. But I need confess I was expecting that was like a whole museum not only a art gallery build only just for the David statue (I didn't know about this fact)

Unique place. Excellent organization. Easily readable posters. Absence of architectural barriers. Very close to perfection

Of all my trips and of all the museums and works visited, this is without a doubt the one that left me most shocked.
Queue up and do not buy tickets from anyone who sells them in line, who tells you that they are going to sneak in, or that you are going to enter earlier, it is a scam, calmly queue up and enter the museum.
When you are in it, enjoy all its works and leave David for the last.
Observe and enjoy its beauty, I believe without a doubt that there is nothing like it, it is very worth going and sitting and above all admire so much beauty.

To actually see this display makes me understand how exceptionally talented Leonardo Da Vinci was.

The sketches and the impressive David, the rest nothing special

Absolute. One of the world masterpieces of art and human genius. One of the symbols of Renaissance Italy and of Europe.

David by Michelangelo, is there anything more to say? You probably know the Biblical report on the fight between David, a teenager back then, and Goliath, a giant ... If not, get a book on Michelangelo. Just admire & think...