Donatello's David
The bronze sculpture of <b>David</b> with a head of defeated by him Goliath in front of his feet carved by Donatello appeared as a result of order of Medici family for one of their private homes. Donatello is one of the most prominent representatives of the early Renaissance. His works both in art and carving have always been extremely distinctive from the others from the same period. The sculptor was an innovator of his time; his art had a great impact on the development of epoch of Renaissance. 
Donatello was interested in cultures of ancient Greece and Rome. The sculpture of David is partially a result of it. Many scholars claim that the statue of David was inspired by that of Samson by Ghiberti. Background for this supposition is that David’s body was criticized for creating an impression of moderate power in it. A referred sculpture of Samson, Old Testament’s Hercules, also does not reflect outrageous power of body. The foot positions of both statues are found to be alike.  
The statue of <i>David</i> was dissimilar to majority of other works by Donatello; however, it reflects the ideas of the early Renaissance very well. First of all it is observed through the use of classical forms, for example figural composition. It is an important feature, because artists of the epoch of Renaissance were attempting to restore the shapes of classical art. In spite of the fact that classical style was not typical for Donatello, most scholars agree that David is carved with all the attributes of the classic manner. Another feature that reflects Renaissance in the appearance of Donatello’s “David” is his relative nudeness. Certainly it cannot be compared on that issue with the sculpture of David by Michelangelo, made a century later, however, for that time it was quite a bold interpretation. Nude males are also a typical aspect of the Renaissance culture.  One more element characteristic for the epoch is the importance of humanism and individual. These attributes were well-reflected in the bronze masterpiece by Donatello. 
References:
1. http://www.free-cliffnotes.com/data/ac/ame66.shtml
2. http://www.columbia.edu/itc/arthist/rosand/AHpics/content/ghiberti/pages/doors%20of%20p%20hannah%20&%20samson.htm