Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Who may have commissioned Donatello’s bronze David?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Donatello
David, bronze sculpture by Donatello, early 15th century; in the Bargello Museum, Florence.
While it is widely accepted that Donatello’s bronze David was created for a private patron, the identity of that individual remains uncertain.1
The statue's recorded history begins in 1469, when it was situated in the center of the courtyard of the Medici palace in Florence during the wedding of Lorenzo the Magnificent. Although this association has led to speculation that the Medici family commissioned the work, there is no definitive evidence to confirm this.1