Donatello's bronze David, (1438-42), is thought to be the first free-standing nude since antiquity.
This David was commissioned by the Medici to stand in the center of their family palace courtyard.
When the Medici were expelled from Florence in 1494, the bronze David was moved to the Palazzo della Signoria,
and after several more moves over the centuries, finally being moved to the Bargello in the late 1800's.

Donatello's small life-sized bronze David is described as being slightly effeminate, in a relaxed contropposto stance.
Goliath's severed head rests at the base of David's feet, and a feather or wing from Goliaths helmet
is described as "caressing David's leg" , which can be seen when viewed from the side or back of the figure,
This wing or feather also creates a support for the weight-bearing leg.
Since the figure originally stood on a pedestal, as it does here, the viewpoint is slightly from below,
making it more proud and noble, as opposed to effiminate.

The Biblical David has been sculpted by several different artists, as he was a symbol of the city of Florence.
Donatello also sculpted an earier marble David in 1428 -16.
Both his marble David, and this bronze David were moved several times,
and eventually found a permanent home in the Bargello, where they are displayed in the same room,
along with Donatello's famous St. George, which is shown in the background of this image.