Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Friday 8 October 2021

Planning permission for Michelangelo’s David


Statues have been in the news this past eighteen months, and usually for all the wrong reasons. That they might be controversial or politically charged is, of course, nothing new. 

'David' by Michelangelo Fir JBU005 denoised.jpg
 
Michelangelo’s David 
1501-04
Image: Wikipedia 

I recently saw an online article about the discussions in Florence in 1504 about placing Michelangelo’s statue of David in a public place, rather than on the cathedral parapet, in the city centre. Basically the article is based on the minutes of the planning committee of the city council, with different factions arguing their corner. Plus ça change…. The article can be read at How Michelangelo’s David turned Renaissance Italy on its head

For more on the background to the commission, its execution, placing and symbolism of this truly remarkable statue there is the Wikipedia article at David (Michelangelo)

There are also three useful online videos which similarly discuss and illustrate the statue at Michelangelo's David: Great Art Explained, at Michelangelo's David and the Florentine Republic and at Michelangelo's David: The Story of an Icon


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