On September 14, 1501, Italian artist Michelangelo began sculpting the statue of David. Carving the 17-foot-tall man from a Carrara marble slab, a material known for its purity and whiteness, took him over two years. His depiction of the hero from the Biblical story of David and Goliath, in such a monumental size and from such a prestigious material, is now one of the most famous art pieces in the Western world.

The Opera del Duomo, an organization responsible for the upkeep and construction of the Florence Cathedral, commissioned the statue. They planned to have statues of 12 Old Testament prophets adorn the Cathedral’s roof. Donatella contributed a terracotta statue of Joshua in 1410. Two artists were hired to create David before Michelangelo; both quickly abandoned the project.

Michelangelo, a man of unwavering dedication, signed the contract on August 16, 1501, and began work on September 14. He believed he could see the man inside the marble; unlike other artists, he did very few sketches or small-scale mockups before carving the marble. He worked exclusively in secret and almost constantly, sometimes skipping meals or sleeping in his clothes. His commitment to his craft is truly inspiring.

When the Statue of David was completed in 1504, Leonardo da Vinci gathered with Florentine citizens to protest its intended spot on the roof. Their collective voice, echoing the sentiment that such a gorgeous masterpiece should not be placed so far out of sight, was heard. The statue was instead placed in front of the Palazzo della Signoria and became a Florentine symbol of liberty and freedom.