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Bernini's David at Galleria Borghese, Rome. This is the same David (he of "and Goliath") that Michelangelo left behind for me to see in Florence, one of his greatest masterpieces. But Bernini has taken a radically different tack: this David is winding up to hurl his stone at Goliath, his whole body tense. He stands over a heap of discarded armour he wasn't comfortable wearing. And his face is contorted in his concentration and effort: this is not the face of a classical hero, calm and prepared. This is someone working desperately. Thing is, the first time you see it, it's a shock - it's so unexpected of a "hero." It took me a while to adjust to, but now - I love this one.

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Image #20190404.0276.GO.iphone
Photo © 2019, Giles Orr

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Last modified: 2019-04-22 by giles