David, Baroque marble sculpture at Galleria Borghese, Rome, Italy
This sculpture made from white Carrara marble stands in the first hall of the gallery and shows the shepherd in a twisting movement that engages his entire body. The figure leans back and prepares for the decisive throw, with every muscle group reflecting the physical effort.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini created the work between 1623 and 1624 commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese after the original patron had died. The sculpture marked a turning point in baroque sculpture as it seems to draw the viewer into the action.
The biblical scene shows the young shepherd in a tense pose just before releasing the stone from his sling. His body appears full of strength and focus at this moment, while his gaze remains fixed on the unseen target.
The gallery permits only group visits with fixed two-hour time slots, requiring advance ticket booking. The work stands at eye level in a well-lit room, allowing visitors to view the details from different angles.
Bernini worked on the marble for seven months and used his own face as a model for the shepherd's facial expression. Cardinal Maffeo Barberini held a mirror for him during the work so the sculptor could capture his own features at the moment of greatest tension.
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