Some say Yes; some say No. I say Yes, albeit with zero authority in the matter. At least one actual authority says No, but only assertively.
The answer is somewhat significant to an interpretation of the work. Remember that Michelangelo’s David is the Biblical David, and the moment the statue depicts corresponds to a precise moment in the Biblical story, the moment just after David has removed the armor his father Saul had given him and just prior to engaging Goliath for the fight.
So, the question is: Does Michelangelo’s David represent Judaism or Christianity? At least, that would be the question if there were a clear answer to the circumcision issue. The statue’s David can’t have represented the perfect Jew if he is uncircumcised. But he misrepresents Biblical truth (an imperfection) if he isn’t.
Googling this question doesn’t settle the matter. Clearly the statue David retains foreskin, but some claim that the circumcision the historical David would have received would have been only partial, a “tip clip.” Also, there is a claim that “foreskin stretching” was a thing in David’s time.
As for whether the statue is a suitable topic for study in grammar school (specifically 6th grade) we should probably determine whether an exclusion would be anti-Christian or anti-Semitic. After all, one might be more acceptable than the other in today’s political climate.
My wife the artist gives me the rundown on the aesthetics of Michelangelo’s David: Renaissance artists were obsessed with restoring the classical ideal of the golden ratio, a spatial proportion of five units to eight. Human anatomy contains many instances of the 5/8 proportion. Thus, a perfect human body is the most elegant possible representation of the golden ratio. Michelangelo’s David — in both positive and negative space — depicts a nearly perfect human form, except for his hands, which are slightly too large, as they would be on a perfect youth.
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…” grammar school (specifically 6th grade) ”
6th grade hasn’t been grammar school for decades. It is MIDDLE SCHOOL.
“So, the question is: Does Michelangelo’s David represent Judaism or Christianity?”
What does that have to do with anything? And David was LONG before Christ. It is believed, as I understand it, that Jesus descended from David’s line. At the time of Michelangelo, Christianity was the ruing religion of the time. Judaism was “heathen”. SO again, it matters NOT what religion is being represented. But I would opine that it was HEAVILY influenced by the Christian ideals of the time.
And in the context of learning about classical art, anti-Semitic or anti-Christian is not even considered or discussed. In a theology study correlating art and religion, perhaps. But NOT in an art study – IMO.
“Michelangelo’s David — in both positive and negative space — depicts a nearly perfect human form, except for his hands, which are slightly too large, as they would be on a perfect youth.”
Considering what time in David’s life this statue was representing, the too big hands actually make sense.
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RE: “6th grade hasn’t been grammar school for decades. It is MIDDLE SCHOOL.”
In classical pedagogy, middle school is part of grammar school. Everything below college level is grammar school.
RE: “At the time of Michelangelo, Christianity was the ruing religion of the time. Judaism was ‘heathen’.”
That is exactly why I bring it up. The statue was a commissioned work. There were to be 12 Old Testament statues created to decorate the Florence Cathedral. It is an odd choice for a Christian edifice.
RE: “And in the context of learning about classical art, anti-Semitic or anti-Christian is not even considered or discussed.”
What makes you think so?
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How many arts classes have you taken? Art History may discuss the topic you bring up, but the in study of Art itself, isn’t. At least, that is the take I got from your wife’s explanation on size and proportion.
“The statue was a commissioned work. ”
Commissioned by whom? The Church, correct? Not sure why you would think it is an “odd choice”. David is in Jesus’ genealogical line. His relationship to David is mentioned often in Christian studies. And it sounds to me like the Florence Cathedral did not ignore the Old Testament roots of Christianity.
“classical pedagogy, middle school is part of grammar school.”
Then go back in time. In TODAY’S world, where the relevant conversation is taking place, 6th Grade is no longer considered grammar school. It stopped being that, in my life anyway, in the 70’s. And where I grew up, we tended to be a couple of years behind the rest of the country.
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RE: “How many arts classes have you taken?”
A few. I was an English major in college and I married a Fine Arts major. How about you?
RE: “Not sure why you would think it is an ‘odd choice’.”
I have explained why.
RE: “In TODAY’S world, where the relevant conversation is taking place, 6th Grade is no longer considered grammar school. ”
I believe you are mistaken. The way I read my dictionary entry, the term grammar school is an acceptable, informal reference to education below college level based on the distinction in liberal arts curricula between the trivium and quadrivium.
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“I believe you are mistaken. ”
Another one of your beliefs that is wrong. But go ahead and live in the past. You will be. much happier there.
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I never thought that such a detail could have so much significance but voila. I’m still not going to study it any closer as that would be as desirable as the sroma of fumunda cheese. Next…
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