The first part of Donatello's artistic activity ends in the 1430s with the slightly smaller than life-sized bronze statue of David. It was originally placed in the courtyard of the Medici-Riccardi palace, but after the confiscation of the Medici palace in 1495 it was moved to the courtyard of Palazzo Vecchio and placed on a marble column. As a free-standing, life-size nude - the first of the post-classical age - Donatello's bronze David is undoubtedly one of the most important sculptures of the Italian Early Renaissance.

Previously in 1409, Donatello carved a David in marble, one of his earliest works in this medium, originally intended for the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. The statue was bought by the Signoria of the city of Florence as early as 1416, to be erected in the Palazzo Vecchio.

Preview	Picture Data	Info
	David 1409 Marble, height 191 cm Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
	David (detail) 1409 Marble Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
	David 1430s Bronze, height 158 cm Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
	David (front view) 1430s Bronze, height 158 cm Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
	David (front view) 1430s Bronze, height 158 cm Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
	David 1430s Bronze, height 158 cm Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
	David (side view) 1430s Bronze, height 158 cm Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
	David (rear view) 1430s Bronze, height 158 cm Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
	David (detail) 1430s Bronze Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
	David (detail) 1430s Bronze Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence
	David (detail) 1430s Bronze Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence