A recent debate has sparked controversy amongst the arts and culture world with the suggestion that Michelangelo’s sculpture ‘David’ is inappropriate. The incident in question occurred when the board of Tallahassee Classical School in Florida encouraged the school’s Principal to resign after several complaints from parents when an image of the sculpture was used in a lesson. (1)
Photograph by amyleighchandler.
I think this incident fails to understand the importance of displaying work from all artistic movements to highlight the changing ideas, styles and social movements of history. Renaissance art is a movement that created a rebirth in art, philosophy, economy, politics and culture. Any artistic or cultural work produced during this period should be viewed through a historical lens that showcases what life was like and emphasise how these pieces have changed and impacted the world we live in today. David is amongst “one of the most representative works of Italian Renaissance”(2) and we need to preserve and respect these historically valuable objects, not place 21st century ideas in a setting that they do not fit. We cannot change the past or alter the interpretation of objects to fit current narratives. There are many artworks and sculptures on display throughout the world that incorporate themes of nudity, sexuality and religion that emulate ideas of the time. These objects have a completely different meaning to what contemporary audiences would interpret nudity to mean today.
The Mayor of Florence, Dario Nardella suggests that “in this era of specialisation, we risk losing sight of the values that have sustained modern civilisation. And Florence is a fundamental part of that global heritage” (3). Nardella’s statement highlights that by attempting to censor the past, we risk losing a collective heritage that has impacted contemporary society. Overall, art is art and we cannot change the themes, story or artist who created these pieces, historians can only interpret these ideas for audiences to learn and engage with the past. It is the responsibility of the visitor to understand the past and spark conversation with these themes to decide their own interpretation and personal opinions. Art is subjective and has many layers to discuss and explore.
What do you think? Should art be used as political tools to support contemporary narratives and ideas?
References
(1) Davide Ghiglione, ‘Italian art experts astonished by David statue uproar in Florida’, BBC News, March 2023 < https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65087218 > [accessed 31 March 2023].
(2) Florence Museum, ‘Michelangelo’s David’, Florence Museum, 2023 < https://www.florence-museum.com/michelangelo-david.php > [accessed 31 March 2023].
(3) Online News Editor, ‘Italy museum director: David statue controversy stems from alarming ignorance’, La Prensa Latina, 29 March 2023 < https://www.laprensalatina.com/italy-museum-director-david-statue-controversy-stems-from-alarming-ignorance/ > [accessed 31 March 2023].
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