BELLANO, Bartolommeo
(b. 1437, Padova, d. 1496, Padova)

David with the Head of Goliath

1490s
Bronze, height 29 cm
Museum of Art, Philadelphia

One of the most remarkable aspects of this sculpture is a relief on the underside of the base that depicts David and his flock of sheep. This feature is unique to Renaissance bronzes, and suggests the statuette was meant to be handled, admired, turned over, and contemplated by its owner.