Thread by @c0nc0rdance

I have a theory about the sculpture of Michelangelo I want to share. Many of his sculptures interpose various characters or aspects of a story.

Example: His statue of David depicts a shepherd boy, a haughty king, and a giant all rolled into one. The whole story in 1 figure.

Look at the scale of David: he's enormous.

Look at the expression in the eyes. Is he a youth (11-13) or a mature man? Is he smirking or humble?

Do you get a sense of pending combat, or repose?

'La Pieta' is another great example. Look at Mary's face. Is she ~65 years old? Or a new mother cradling a baby she knows is destined for death on the cross?

Is she holding a 200 lb man, or a baby in her lap, based solely on her body position?

Is her face sad? At peace? Is she looking at a new baby, or the corpse of her adult son?

The detail on the cloth is amazing, but I'm always taken by the duality of the depiction.

Here's the Moses figure that Michelangelo carved for the tomb of Pope Julius II.

Is he an old man? Look at the knee, the detail on the arm?

What expression does his face convey?

The visage is resigned or weary. He's cradling the tablets of the commandments, but he's also dressed in finery, as befits a prince of Egypt. He's crowned with horns to indicate holiness.

Young and old, defeated and triumphant combined.