Abstract

The focus is on the sling, on its function, and on how it is depicted. Michelangelo chose to deviate from the usual iconography of slingers, which shows them holding their weapon in the right hand by both ends, ready for use: his David holds the sling with both hands, hiding most of it behind his back. The gesture clearly suggest that the statue is concealing something, inviting the beholder to look more carefully. If we do so, we gain a better understanding of what is going to happen between David and Goliath. This has consequences for the interpretation of the statue as a whole