Bernini's David

Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s David, sculpted between 1623 and 1624, marks a dramatic shift in the representation of the biblical hero.

Unlike earlier Renaissance versions by Donatello and Michelangelo, Bernini’s David captures the precise moment of action—mid-swing, as he twists his body to hurl the stone at Goliath. This dynamic pose, full of tension and movement, exemplifies the Baroque style’s emphasis on emotion, drama, and theatrical realism. Commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the sculpture was completed when Bernini was just 24 years old, yet it already demonstrates his extraordinary skill in rendering both physical energy and psychological intensity. The lifelike expression of concentration on David’s face, the taut muscles, and the fluttering garments create a vivid sense of immediacy. Bernini is said to have used his own face, observed in a mirror, as a model for David’s intense expression. Housed in Rome’s Galleria Borghese, the statue is part of a celebrated collection and remains a masterclass in sculptural storytelling. With its spiraling composition and emotional force, David showcases Bernini’s ability to transform marble into a moment suspended in time.