Bernini's David is associated with which period and which material?

• A. Renaissance, Marble
• B. Rococo, Marble
• C. Mannerist, Marble
• D. Baroque, Marble

Answer: (D)

Baroque sculpture is defined by dynamic movement, dramatic emotion, and a sense of theatre in a single moment. Bernini’s David captures that energy with a twisting, action-filled pose that makes the figure look ready to spring into motion, drawing the viewer into the scene. The material—marble—lets the sculptor carve highly precise anatomy and taut muscular detail, and the polished surface catches light in a way that heightens the sense of immediacy and vitality typical of Baroque works.

This combination—Baroque in period and marble as the material—distinguishes it from Renaissance sculpture, which favors calmer balance, from Rococo’s lighter, more decorative style, and from Mannerist works that often feature contrived poses.