Michelangelo’s David stands as one of the most recognized achievements in art history. Carved from a single block of marble, this towering figure has captivated observers for centuries in Italy.
This quiz looks at the creation of this giant sculpture. You will see questions about its dimensions, the original commission, and the hidden details of the hero’s pose.
Once you finish, why not explore more? Check out our pages on classic sculpture, read about famous artists of the Renaissance, or browse other iconic art masterpieces.
Which Renaissance artist was commissioned in 1501 to carve the iconic 17-foot-tall marble statue of David?
Bernini
Bernini
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci
Donatello
Donatello
Michelangelo
Michelangelo
Which biblical giant is the depicted figure preparing to face?
Og
Og
Samson
Samson
Goliath
Goliath
Nimrod
Nimrod
What material was used to create the statue?
Limestone
Limestone
Sandstone
Sandstone
Carrara marble
Carrara marble
Granite
Granite
Where was the statue originally intended to be displayed before its completion?
The Louvre in Paris
The Louvre in Paris
Piazza del Duomo in Florence
Piazza del Duomo in Florence
The Colosseum in Rome
The Colosseum in Rome
St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican
St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican
Which best describes the block of material used by the sculptor?
A block salvaged from a Roman ruin
A block salvaged from a Roman ruin
A previously abandoned, flawed block
A previously abandoned, flawed block
A set of five small blocks joined together
A set of five small blocks joined together
A pristine, perfect slab
A pristine, perfect slab
Approximately how tall is Michelangelo’s statue of David?
15 feet
15 feet
17 feet
17 feet
13 feet
13 feet
19 feet
19 feet
Why was the block of marble used for Michelangelo’s David considered “flawed” or “difficult”?
It was too expensive for the church
It was too expensive for the church
The marble was too soft to hold detail
The marble was too soft to hold detail
Two other sculptors had previously failed to carve it
Two other sculptors had previously failed to carve it
It was too heavy to move to the workshop
It was too heavy to move to the workshop
Which of these is a notable aesthetic choice regarding the proportions of Michelangelo’s David?
The legs are disproportionately short
The legs are disproportionately short
The feet are missing toes
The feet are missing toes
The torso is unnaturally thin
The torso is unnaturally thin
The head and right hand appear slightly oversized
The head and right hand appear slightly oversized
The narrative subject of Michelangelo’s David is based on which story?
The biblical story of the battle against Goliath
The biblical story of the battle against Goliath
The life of Julius Caesar
The life of Julius Caesar
The Greek myth of Prometheus
The Greek myth of Prometheus
The Roman legend of Romulus and Remus
The Roman legend of Romulus and Remus
At what point in the story is the hero depicted in Michelangelo’s David?
Before the fight with Goliath
Before the fight with Goliath
After defeating the Philistine army
After defeating the Philistine army
During the flight from Saul
During the flight from Saul
As a king sitting on a throne
As a king sitting on a throne
Following completion, where was the statue ultimately placed to overlook the city square?
The Palazzo Vecchio
The Palazzo Vecchio
The Medici Chapel
The Medici Chapel
The Uffizi Gallery
The Uffizi Gallery
The Pitti Palace
The Pitti Palace
What emotional state is the figure’s expression generally considered to convey?
Calm and contemplative
Calm and contemplative
Laughing and joyful
Laughing and joyful
Angry and aggressive
Angry and aggressive
Cowardly and hiding
Cowardly and hiding
Where is the original statue held today?
The National Gallery in Washington D.C.
The National Gallery in Washington D.C.
The Accademia Gallery in Florence
The Accademia Gallery in Florence
The British Museum in London
The British Museum in London
The Vatican Museums
The Vatican Museums
What organization commissioned the work?
The Medici family
The Medici family
The Opera del Duomo
The Opera del Duomo
The Pope in Rome
The Pope in Rome
The King of France
The King of France
The statue became a potent symbol of independence for which city-state?
The city of Florence
The city of Florence
The city of Rome
The city of Rome
The city of Milan
The city of Milan
The city of Venice
The city of Venice
During which years was Michelangelo’s David primarily carved?
1505-1508
1505-1508
1497-1500
1497-1500
1511-1514
1511-1514
1501-1504
1501-1504
Which weapon does Michelangelo’s David hold, though it is easily missed by observers?
A sling
A sling
A sword
A sword
A shield
A shield
A spear
A spear
Where was Michelangelo’s David originally commissioned to be placed?
Along the roofline of Florence Cathedral
Along the roofline of Florence Cathedral
Inside the Galleria dell’Accademia
Inside the Galleria dell’Accademia
In the public square of Piazza della Signoria
In the public square of Piazza della Signoria
At the entrance of the Palazzo Vecchio
At the entrance of the Palazzo Vecchio
The statue of David’s focus on the beauty of the human form is a hallmark of which intellectual movement?
Gothic austerity
Gothic austerity
Byzantine rigidness
Byzantine rigidness
Baroque theatricality
Baroque theatricality
Humanism
Humanism
Who was one of the sculptors who abandoned the marble block years before Michelangelo carved it?
Sandro Botticelli
Sandro Botticelli
Agostino di Duccio
Agostino di Duccio
Filippo Brunelleschi
Filippo Brunelleschi
Donatello
Donatello
What detail contributes to the sense of psychological realism in Michelangelo’s David?
The presence of a small pet dog at his feet
The presence of a small pet dog at his feet
The tension in the neck muscles and the brow
The tension in the neck muscles and the brow
The intricate carving of the stone armor
The intricate carving of the stone armor
The addition of bronze accessories applied later
The addition of bronze accessories applied later
What factor largely contributed to the enduring mythical status of Michelangelo’s David in art history?
The use of imported gold leaf to highlight details
The use of imported gold leaf to highlight details
The fact that it was the first statue to feature internal steel supports
The fact that it was the first statue to feature internal steel supports
The statue’s ability to be easily disassembled for travel
The statue’s ability to be easily disassembled for travel
The status of the sculptor as a divine genius (‘Il Divino’)
The status of the sculptor as a divine genius (‘Il Divino’)
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