David (Replica)
Sculpture, outdoor monumental statue • Luigi Arrighetti
Style & Movement
High Renaissance (in style); early 20th-century neoclassic reproduction
Medium & Technique
Carved white Carrara marble
Creation Period
1910
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 5.17 meters (17 feet) in height; monumental vertical format
Subject Description
The Biblical hero David, depicted in a moments of tense anticipation before battling Goliath. He is shown in a classic contrapposto stance, holding a sling over his left shoulder and a stone in his right hand. The composition emphasizes anatomical realism and psychological intensity.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; shows signs of environmental exposure consistent with an outdoor public monument.
Estimated Market Value
Invaluable as a civic monument; as a high-quality historical replica, it holds multi-million dollar institutional value.
Auction Estimate
N/A - Public site-specific monument not intended for sale.
Provenance History
Commissioned to replace the original Michelangelo's David (which was moved to the Accademia in 1873) in its original location outside the Palazzo Vecchio in the Piazza della Signoria, Florence.
Art Historical Significance
Acts as the 'place-holder' for one of the most famous sculptures in Western history. It maintains the original urban context and spatial relationship Michelangelo intended for the Piazza della Signoria, serving as a symbol of Florentine liberty.
Notable Features
Located in front of the Palazzo Vecchio; features the 'Donatello-style' lion (Marzocco) in the background and the heraldic lilies of Florence above the entrance.
Condition Issues
Surface weathering, slight discoloration from atmospheric pollutants, and mineral deposits from rainwater runoff.
Conservation Recommendations
Periodic professional cleaning using non-abrasive methods, monitoring for micro-cracks, and application of reversible protective sealants suitable for outdoor marble.