Michelangelo's 'David,' sculpted between 1501 and 1504, is a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture. Standing at over 17 feet tall, it was carved from a single block of Carrara marble that had been discarded by two other sculptors because they believed it was too flawed to use. Michelangelo broke with the tradition of depicting David after his victory over Goliath; instead, he chose to show David in the moment before the fight, tense and focused. If you look closely at the statue's right hand, it appears disproportionately large. This was an intentional choice by Michelangelo, as the statue was originally meant to be placed high on the roofline of Florence Cathedral. He adjusted the proportions to ensure David would look powerful and imposing when viewed from far below. The statue has become a symbol of the strength and youthful beauty of the human form and remains one of the most famous sculptures in history.