Main theme: the political contrasts in Florence at the turn of the century and their reflection in Michelangelo's artistic work.

Part 3. David, Defender of Republican Florence

• Michelangelo's return to Florence. By 1500 Michelangelo decided to return to Florence. His family wanted him there and since Rome wasn't any safer than Florence there was not much keeping him there. By the time Michelangelo was putting the finishing touches on the Pietà (see below), Cesare Borgia had one of his rivals, the duke of Bisceglie, killed (August 1500). When Michelangelo returned to Florence in 1500 Savonarola had been dead for two years. Florence was in a pitiful condition. A new gonfaloniere was chosen every two months. Botticelli, a follower of Savonarola, shuffled on crutches through the streets, sick and incapable. There were hardly any prominent artists or humanists left; still times were changing for the bettter. Leonardo had recently returned from Milan.
• Michelangelo's giant, David. Largely in response to the political instability, the Signoria chose Piero Soderini as gonfalniere for life in 1502. He looked to Michelangelo to produce a work that would restore Florence's civic pride. The marble was already there. For decades a block of marble had stood idle in the Cathedral after it was discarded. Michelangelo carved the David in the Cathedral. The end result defined republican virtues; David, the champion of the Republic, anti-Medici, and standing guard in front of Palazzo Signoria. It is famous for its facial expression conveying a hero's state of mind, a perfect symbiosis between the 'unclassical' psycological tension of David's expression and his traditional, classical pose.
• Donatello's Judith Slaying Holofernes. Where to place the David turned into a much-disputed political issue. After long debates it was decided to place it in Piazza Signoria replacing Donatello's Judith. Judith's theme of death wasn't particularly suitable at a time when Florence was preparing for a war against Pisa. Up until 1494 the Judith had been located in Palazzo Medici but after Piero's fleight it was removed to Piazza Signoria as a warning to all tyrants.

Sights and art works:

The David, 1501-4, Michelangelo, Galleria Accademia di Belle Arti

Sketchbooks, Casa Buonarroti

Judith Slaying Holofernes, c. 1460, Donatello, Palazzo Signoria (a copy has been placed outside)

Model of the wagon used to transport the David, Casa Buonarroti