David of the Casa Martelli

This statue, formerly attributed to Donatello, was executed by Bernardo (or Antonio) Rossellini. Once stood in the courtyard of the palace of the Martelli family in Florence, it appears in Agnolo Bronzino's painting Ugolino Martelli. Loyal to the Medici, the Martelli were a politically ambitious family of bankers with modest wealth. They were also significant patrons of the arts.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 11 minutes): Johann Kuhnau: The Fight between David and Goliath (No. 1 of the 6 Stories from the Bible illustrated in music)