David, Michelangelo, Cappelle Medicee

2001
Silver gelatin photograph on Baryta Paper
39.5
x
39.5
in

All works will be signed on verso with an accompanying certificate stating title, edition number, date and signature.


In Aurelio Amendola’s photograph of Michelangelo’s “David,” captured within the Cappelle Medicee, the focus is not on the renowned statue’s iconic form or intricate musculature. Instead, Amendola opts to crop in tight, highlighting the intensity of David’s expression. With a furrowed brow and eyes fixed on some distant point, Michelangelo’s masterpiece appears contemplative, perhaps even apprehensive, in this close-up portrayal.

Michelangelo’s “David,” sculpted between 1501 and 1504, is celebrated as a quintessential symbol of Renaissance artistry and humanism. Depicting the biblical hero poised for battle against Goliath, the statue embodies themes of courage, determination, and the triumph of the underdog. However, in Amendola’s image, the focus shifts from David’s physical prowess to the emotional depth conveyed through his facial expression.

By isolating David’s face and capturing it in a tight frame, Amendola emphasizes the psychological complexity of Michelangelo’s sculpture. The play of light and shadow further accentuates the nuances of David’s expression, casting his features in a dramatic chiaroscuro that adds to the sense of depth and introspection. Through this intimate portrayal, Amendola invites viewers to engage with the inner world of one of art history’s most iconic figures, offering a fresh perspective on a timeless masterpiece.