Galleria dell’Accademia: Michelangelo’s Statue Of David

The Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence is world-renowned for being the home of Michelangelo’s statue of David. But there’s so much more to this incredible museum than just that one masterpiece. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the Galleria dell’Accademia and some of its other must-see artworks.

What is the Galleria dell’Accademia?

The Galleria dell’Accademia is one of the most renowned art museums in the world, home to some of the greatest masterpieces of Italian Renaissance art. Among its most famous sculpture is Michelangelo’s David, as well as a number of his unfinished works. The gallery also boasts a significant collection of Florentine Gothic art, making it a must-see for any art lover visiting Florence.

What are the most famous sculptures in the Galleria dell’Accademia?

When you enter the museum, you reach a hall of paintings. In addition to many paintings, you will see a sculpture by Giambologna. The sculpture shows a Roman soldier kidnapping a Sabine woman. The Sabine man below is unable to prevent it. The statue of the Kidnapping of Sabine Women (Ratto Delle Sabine), which was once located in Piazza della Signoria, was brought here for protection. Today there is a replica of this statue in the square.

Statue Of David

There are always long queues in front of the gallery with its walls full of paintings. Art lovers from all over the world want to see the works of Michelangelo, who played a major role in the Renaissance, up close. Galleria dell’Accademia is home to one of the masterpieces of the Renaissance.

Michelangelo’s most important sculpture, David which changed his life, awaits its visitors with the veins in its arms, the muscles in its legs and the difference in its expression. Carved on a single block, Michelangelo’s work was completed in 3 years and was ready alone in 1504, when he was only 26 years old.

When you examine the work, you realize that the work is not static, there is a vitality in the work. The main artistic element that gives mobility to this unique work of Michelangelo is the contrapost technique applied to the work. Contrapost is the name of the style in which the weight of the sculpture is placed on one leg and the other leg remains free.

After the statue of David was made in 1054, it was first erected in Piazza Signoria, but in 1873 it was taken to the Academy Gallery to prevent any possible damage to it, and in 1910 a replica was placed in Piazza Signoria.

So whose statue was this 5,17-meter-long statue of a naked man originally? What was the story of the statue that Michelangelo was so famous for, which almost became the symbol of Florence? It is said to depict the moment in the Torah when the shepherd David decided to attack Goliath, a huge warrior. As a result of this duel, David, the future ruler of the Kingdom of Israel, defeated the giant Goliath with the help of his slingshot.

There are other artifacts in the museum, of course. A mausoleum for the tomb of Pope Julius II that was started but never completed, the Prigioni, which means Prisoners or Slaves. Even though Michelangelo did not complete the 4 large sculptures, named by scholars as the Awakening Slave, the Young Slave, the Bearded Slave and the Atlas, they are still being examined with interest by visitors.

A room near the statue of David is full of sculptures. Since we didn’t know what kind of room we were going to encounter, we were quite surprised by this excess.

A museum displaying around 50 musical instruments dating back to the 17th century belonging to members of the Medici and Lorraine families was added during the expansion of the Accademia Gallery. In this building, which was added in 1966, there are also the instruments of Bartolomeo Cristofori, the inventor of the piano.

On the walls, there are pictures of musicians and instrument owners. The computer in the museum allows you to get information about the instruments and hear the sounds of the instruments.

FAQs on Accademia Gallery Florence

Is Galleria dell’Accademia worth it?

Galleria dell’Accademia is definitely worth a visit when in Florence! Even if you’re not an art history buff, the gallery is home to some of the most iconic works of art in the world, including Michelangelo’s statue of David. The gallery is also relatively small compared to other museums in Florence, so it’s easy to see everything in one go. Plus, its location right next to the Ponte Vecchio means you can easily combine a visit here with other attractions nearby.

How long does it take to tour Galleria dell Accademia?

A visit to Galleria dell’Accademia takes about two hour, but this can vary depending on how long you spend admiring each work of art. The gallery has a small collection of paintings and sculptures, so you won’t need more than a few minutes in front of each piece. However, the highlight of the museum is Michelangelo’s statue of David, which is worth spending some extra time viewing.

How to get to the Galleria dell’Accademia?

The Galleria dell’Accademia is located in the heart of Florence, just a few minutes’ walk from the Duomo.

Conclusion

The Galleria dell’Accademia (Accademia Gallery) in Florence is definitely a must-see for anyone visiting the city. From the incredible artworks on display to the fascinating history of the gallery, there is so much to see and learn at this amazing museum. We highly recommend giving yourself plenty of time to explore everything the Galleria has to offer, as it truly is a gem in Florence’s already impressive crown.