Michelangelo’s statue of the David has been described as the greatest expression of sculpture of all time. Standing 17’1’’ in height and weighing just over 5 tons, the sheer scale of the statue is breathtaking. Yet, there is much more to this sculpture than just its size. His near anatomical perfection, his civic value as symbol of the great Florentine Republic, as well as the dramatic narrative tension that Michelangelo’s imbues in the statue all contribute to its extraordinary quality. This lecture will explore the history, iconography and importance of the sculpture that probably best defines the Renaissance, as well as the great artist who produced it.